The new 2010 version of True Grit is out this week, and it has been placed in the hands of pioneering film makers Joel and Ethan Coen. They have given us gems like, No Country for Old Men, Fargo, and O' Brother Where Art Thou. All Oscar nominated or winners.
True Grit of course is a remake of sorts of the 1960's John Wayne western that many think was his best performance as the enigmatic U.S. Marshall Rooster Cogburn. Now that role has been reprised by Oscar winner Jeff Bridges. Although this technically is a remake there are many differences in the two movies.
True Grit was a fantastic book written in 1968 and was published in a series by the Saturday Evening Post. But was later issued as a full length novel. The story is timeless as a little girl in the American West hires a broken down US Marshall to track down and the man who killed her father. It's pretty simple. But Charles Portis, the writer of this magnificent story was so skilled as a writer, this story is often referred as the Shakespearean Western. His written dialogue for his characters is second to none.
It's not often that a remake is smarter and more polished than the original, but this is. More times than not the remake is a dumbed down version with more special effects, harsher language, with more bells and whistles to keep interest for the modern movie goer. Not here. True Grit 2010, is straight out of the book, very pure and authentic. Fantastic lines delivered by skilled actors, with a story so good, and characters so well defined you wonder why all movies can't pull this off. Simple. All great movies start with a great story, and this is a great story.
Bridges as Rooster Cogburn is simply great and should have his name in the Oscar race again. Cogburn is a gigantic role. Bridges is getting better with age, after last years Oscar win with Crazy Heart. Again, she shows off his amazing ability to climb so far into the character, you think he may never come out. Matt Damon as LaBoeuf the Texas Ranger is very good and a nice compliment to Bridges. And Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross, the 14 year old spunky young girl who hires this group to avenge her fathers death, is quite honestly nothing short of fantastic. You must have a great Mattie to do this movie, as it is told through her eyes. A great supporting cast with Josh Brolin and Barry Pepper too, rounds outs a very good cast.
True Grit will be a real favorite with many this season, although this may miss with the younger set, who may be turned off to westerns or not able to understand the purity of this movie. Many too are used top non-top video game action. That's not True Grit. It is a story first, and second and final.
True Grit. Smarter and more pure the second time around. Great....simply great, one of the years best.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Black Swan
They don't make many movies about ballet these days, but Black Swan is getting a lot of buzz around the movie community.
There has also been lots of Oscar talk about this new artsy-thriller, as it is nominated for a bunch of Golden Globes. And after seeing it, I have to say to those who are crowning this as the years best.....hold on a minute.
Black Swan stars Natalie Portman as Nina. Nina is a long time ballerina in New York City, who finally gets her chance at the big time by being cast as The Swan Queen in the classic ballet, Swan Lake. But she is demonized from within. From years of being around very competitive, caddy behavior in her troupe, she has become extremely paranoid. Her mother (Barbara Hershey) is a one time ballerina who Nina wonders about her motives, as mom never rose to such heights.
Lilly, (Mila Kunis) is a rival ballerina to the group. Is she sabotaging Nina, or is it Beth, (Winona Ryder) the recently fired for being past her prime ballet star. Or her male coach? Just who on earth is the Black Swan, and who is out to get Nina seemingly to the death just as in the Swan Lake Ballet itself.
First off, Black Swan is the kind of movie that Hollywood loves to honor itself with. You take art like ballet. Toss in the art of actually being able to cast this movie. Then of course the incredible art and chore of being able to film this in a way that is compelling and moving. All of this is done very well. And the fantastic music of Swan Lake. It is so well done, with such terrific orchestral arrangements that cannot be ignored. the music throughout this movie is really great. All of this is simply brilliant. Hollywood will be slapping itself on its own back over this one for months to come.
But with the general movie going public, Black Swan is limited. The story in its shell is a good one. They do a nice job taking you backstage of professional ballet, and show you the hurt, the heartache, the jealousy, and the physical toll this can take on these young women. Now, you have to decide if that's your cup of tea or not. But that's the deal it makes with you. Also this is a very adult R rated movie that deals with some very delicate subjects behind the scenes as well. All turn in nice performances, and the dancing is exquisite. Word of honest caution. You better have some patience with ballet, because there is a lot of it here.
Black Swan. Much of this is very good. But even though Hollywood won't be able to stop honoring itself over this one, I will. Black Swan is good, and solid. But overall certainly a upper crust movie, but not the best picture of the year.
There has also been lots of Oscar talk about this new artsy-thriller, as it is nominated for a bunch of Golden Globes. And after seeing it, I have to say to those who are crowning this as the years best.....hold on a minute.
Black Swan stars Natalie Portman as Nina. Nina is a long time ballerina in New York City, who finally gets her chance at the big time by being cast as The Swan Queen in the classic ballet, Swan Lake. But she is demonized from within. From years of being around very competitive, caddy behavior in her troupe, she has become extremely paranoid. Her mother (Barbara Hershey) is a one time ballerina who Nina wonders about her motives, as mom never rose to such heights.
Lilly, (Mila Kunis) is a rival ballerina to the group. Is she sabotaging Nina, or is it Beth, (Winona Ryder) the recently fired for being past her prime ballet star. Or her male coach? Just who on earth is the Black Swan, and who is out to get Nina seemingly to the death just as in the Swan Lake Ballet itself.
First off, Black Swan is the kind of movie that Hollywood loves to honor itself with. You take art like ballet. Toss in the art of actually being able to cast this movie. Then of course the incredible art and chore of being able to film this in a way that is compelling and moving. All of this is done very well. And the fantastic music of Swan Lake. It is so well done, with such terrific orchestral arrangements that cannot be ignored. the music throughout this movie is really great. All of this is simply brilliant. Hollywood will be slapping itself on its own back over this one for months to come.
But with the general movie going public, Black Swan is limited. The story in its shell is a good one. They do a nice job taking you backstage of professional ballet, and show you the hurt, the heartache, the jealousy, and the physical toll this can take on these young women. Now, you have to decide if that's your cup of tea or not. But that's the deal it makes with you. Also this is a very adult R rated movie that deals with some very delicate subjects behind the scenes as well. All turn in nice performances, and the dancing is exquisite. Word of honest caution. You better have some patience with ballet, because there is a lot of it here.
Black Swan. Much of this is very good. But even though Hollywood won't be able to stop honoring itself over this one, I will. Black Swan is good, and solid. But overall certainly a upper crust movie, but not the best picture of the year.
Monday, December 20, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW -The Fighter
It's big movie season now, and here come the heavy hitters. The Fighter, no pun intended, is a heavy hitter.
The Fighter stars Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams in the real life story of Mickey Wade, a welterweight boxer in the early 1990's. This is a compelling tale of a fighter with a huge heart, a crack - addict former brother ex-boxer, and an incredibly dysfunctional white trash family from Lowell, Massachusetts. Right up front, this is not Rocky in any way.
Wahlberg is Wade, a down on his luck fighter. He is being managed horribly by his awful, extremely ignorant mother and brother. They have only their needs in mind, as they mismanage Wade's career to further their own paydays. This is the story of Wade and his quest to get away from his family, and get with the right people to hopefully manage his career to a title shot before he's past his prime.
Wahlberg is absolutely fantastic as the downtrodden Wade. Bale is terrific as his drug infested brother, and Amy Adams is Charlene his new girlfriend, who has a past of her own she's trying to come to grips with. Everyone in this movie cast perfectly, including the supporting cast. The writing here is sharp, smart, and on point. The Fighter doesn't veer off in some ill-advised direction and lose it's focus. True, this is a movie about a boxer, but it is so much more. It dares to take us into the putrid, unsavory, trash side of the local boxing scene and eventually the big time scene. It shows the not so glamorous underbelly of the sport and those involved in and around it.
It is a movie about courage, redemption, and the willingness to break the terrible familial cycle that plagues this family. It is powerful, raw and well done. Our three main stars carry the day, and Adams has broken through with new direction as the wrong side of the tracks Charlene. I always like seeing actors go down a new road and succeed, and she is a big part of the beauty of this movie. The Fighter with it's boxing backdrop may be a bit too raw and not sanded enough for some. But for movie goers this is mandatory viewing.
The Fighter. Just flat out good. One of the years best movies.
The Fighter stars Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams in the real life story of Mickey Wade, a welterweight boxer in the early 1990's. This is a compelling tale of a fighter with a huge heart, a crack - addict former brother ex-boxer, and an incredibly dysfunctional white trash family from Lowell, Massachusetts. Right up front, this is not Rocky in any way.
Wahlberg is Wade, a down on his luck fighter. He is being managed horribly by his awful, extremely ignorant mother and brother. They have only their needs in mind, as they mismanage Wade's career to further their own paydays. This is the story of Wade and his quest to get away from his family, and get with the right people to hopefully manage his career to a title shot before he's past his prime.
Wahlberg is absolutely fantastic as the downtrodden Wade. Bale is terrific as his drug infested brother, and Amy Adams is Charlene his new girlfriend, who has a past of her own she's trying to come to grips with. Everyone in this movie cast perfectly, including the supporting cast. The writing here is sharp, smart, and on point. The Fighter doesn't veer off in some ill-advised direction and lose it's focus. True, this is a movie about a boxer, but it is so much more. It dares to take us into the putrid, unsavory, trash side of the local boxing scene and eventually the big time scene. It shows the not so glamorous underbelly of the sport and those involved in and around it.
It is a movie about courage, redemption, and the willingness to break the terrible familial cycle that plagues this family. It is powerful, raw and well done. Our three main stars carry the day, and Adams has broken through with new direction as the wrong side of the tracks Charlene. I always like seeing actors go down a new road and succeed, and she is a big part of the beauty of this movie. The Fighter with it's boxing backdrop may be a bit too raw and not sanded enough for some. But for movie goers this is mandatory viewing.
The Fighter. Just flat out good. One of the years best movies.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Christmas Lives In The Heart
At this time of year many of us are thinking about things we may not think about the rest of the calender year. Christmas time can bring to the forefront wondrous memories of times gone by. Or the excitement of being a kid and the slow moving time march to Christmas morning. Everyone knows the reason for the season and that's not forgotten here. But in addition there is the Christmas that lives in each and every one of us, that's unique and personal.
We are all busy this time of year with the shopping, gift giving, and the running around that we all get caught up in. But after the gifts have been unwrapped and all has quieted down from the morning it's still Christmas day, and eventually Christmas night. That to me is when it really becomes Christmas. That night and day if no other is the day you hopefully will be with the exact people you want to be with.
As you look around the dinner table you see that this is your life, this is your family. If no other, this is the day that all busy schedules, all other responsibilities and commitments are set aside and give way to a simpler, easier moment. In our world today this moment is not easily replicated. If you're lucky enough to welcome a new life to your table, the joy can be almost more than you thought you were capable of. A blessing indeed.
It is inevitable and normal though, among all the wonder that is that day and night, to reflect on the fact that there may be some absent from our day. Maybe they are deployed overseas, or the time and miles are just too large to overcome. Could be some other intangible for the absence, or maybe it's that they are no longer with us in body. For those we can say a prayer for, drink a toast to, and allow our hearts to feel just a bit more openly than we usually do.
Isn't that where Christmas really lives? In a part of the heart that opens a bit wider when everything that is good intersects? It is incredibly palpable when all that is important to you is all around you. It's more rare than it should be. But maybe that's the real beauty of Christmas. Maybe that's the ever evolving Christmas miracle. Replenishing the love and joy in your heart. Remembering that this time of the year is pure and good. And reminding you that all that are most important to you near or far, or just beyond your reach are always with you.
Christmas lives in the heart of us all. And at Christmas, the heart... and the heart alone, can bring all that is right for you...... right to you.
We are all busy this time of year with the shopping, gift giving, and the running around that we all get caught up in. But after the gifts have been unwrapped and all has quieted down from the morning it's still Christmas day, and eventually Christmas night. That to me is when it really becomes Christmas. That night and day if no other is the day you hopefully will be with the exact people you want to be with.
As you look around the dinner table you see that this is your life, this is your family. If no other, this is the day that all busy schedules, all other responsibilities and commitments are set aside and give way to a simpler, easier moment. In our world today this moment is not easily replicated. If you're lucky enough to welcome a new life to your table, the joy can be almost more than you thought you were capable of. A blessing indeed.
It is inevitable and normal though, among all the wonder that is that day and night, to reflect on the fact that there may be some absent from our day. Maybe they are deployed overseas, or the time and miles are just too large to overcome. Could be some other intangible for the absence, or maybe it's that they are no longer with us in body. For those we can say a prayer for, drink a toast to, and allow our hearts to feel just a bit more openly than we usually do.
Isn't that where Christmas really lives? In a part of the heart that opens a bit wider when everything that is good intersects? It is incredibly palpable when all that is important to you is all around you. It's more rare than it should be. But maybe that's the real beauty of Christmas. Maybe that's the ever evolving Christmas miracle. Replenishing the love and joy in your heart. Remembering that this time of the year is pure and good. And reminding you that all that are most important to you near or far, or just beyond your reach are always with you.
Christmas lives in the heart of us all. And at Christmas, the heart... and the heart alone, can bring all that is right for you...... right to you.
Friday, December 17, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW- How Do You Know
There is a lot riding on the new romantic comedy How Do You Know at the box office this week.
Romantic comedies are taking a real beating this year at the movies, so will this one renew faith in a struggling genre? I'm thinking not. And it's really a shame.
Reece Witherspoon, is Lisa. She is cut from the USA Women's National Softball team. She is a mere 31 years old and is feeling a bit past her prime. She meets Matty (Owen Wilson) who is a professional baseball player. They start living together in his posh Washington DC apartment. But he's shallow and fun, not the "serious" type. Lisa then meets George (Paul Rudd). George is in business with crook father Charles (Jack Nicholson) and finds himself the target of a federal investigation. It's the eternal triangle. One woman, two men, who will she pick? Hmmm...I wonder. That's How Do You Know.
This is a GREAT example of a bunch of really good people, given a really terrible script. With extrmeme emphasis on terrible! My goodness. HDYN is so jumbled, so frantic at times, so tedious, it's really tough watching after a while. Really bad dialogue, very awkward scenes, a story that really doesn't make much sense or have much believability. Characters that spend more time on the phone than anything else, and it's way too long.
There are also entirely too many characters in this movie, and not by a little. Simpler would have been a step in the right direction, but it still would have driven off a cliff. So many are so not necessary you may ask yourself out loud why they are there. There is no chemistry at all especially between Rudd and Spoon, you have a hard time rooting for them to end up together. This is a terribly disjointed, very mundane movie that really does not work at all in any way shape or form.
I love Reece Witherspoon. And here, she is lovely yet again. She is easy to watch and has that intangible that makes her so endearing in virtually all her roles going back to Pleasantville. Her character here, is fairly well developed, but what she is asked to do is simply silly. It's a shame, because she is an Oscar winner and deserves better. Just because you toss in a bunch of really talented people, doesn't insure success. This movie just staggers and stammers to its merciful finish. It is packaged as charming and fun. Don't be fooled. No real laughs, no signature scene, no flow, pace or saving grace. There is a smattering of amusing moments but not enough to pull it along at all. What may have started off as a good idea, and real nice grown up opportunity for Rudd especially as he crosses over from sophomoric movies to the big leagues, this is a dud.
How Do You Know. Witherspoon - lovely. The rest? Not even Jack Nicholson can save this. Don't believe the hype, this is a tanker.
Romantic comedies are taking a real beating this year at the movies, so will this one renew faith in a struggling genre? I'm thinking not. And it's really a shame.
Reece Witherspoon, is Lisa. She is cut from the USA Women's National Softball team. She is a mere 31 years old and is feeling a bit past her prime. She meets Matty (Owen Wilson) who is a professional baseball player. They start living together in his posh Washington DC apartment. But he's shallow and fun, not the "serious" type. Lisa then meets George (Paul Rudd). George is in business with crook father Charles (Jack Nicholson) and finds himself the target of a federal investigation. It's the eternal triangle. One woman, two men, who will she pick? Hmmm...I wonder. That's How Do You Know.
This is a GREAT example of a bunch of really good people, given a really terrible script. With extrmeme emphasis on terrible! My goodness. HDYN is so jumbled, so frantic at times, so tedious, it's really tough watching after a while. Really bad dialogue, very awkward scenes, a story that really doesn't make much sense or have much believability. Characters that spend more time on the phone than anything else, and it's way too long.
There are also entirely too many characters in this movie, and not by a little. Simpler would have been a step in the right direction, but it still would have driven off a cliff. So many are so not necessary you may ask yourself out loud why they are there. There is no chemistry at all especially between Rudd and Spoon, you have a hard time rooting for them to end up together. This is a terribly disjointed, very mundane movie that really does not work at all in any way shape or form.
I love Reece Witherspoon. And here, she is lovely yet again. She is easy to watch and has that intangible that makes her so endearing in virtually all her roles going back to Pleasantville. Her character here, is fairly well developed, but what she is asked to do is simply silly. It's a shame, because she is an Oscar winner and deserves better. Just because you toss in a bunch of really talented people, doesn't insure success. This movie just staggers and stammers to its merciful finish. It is packaged as charming and fun. Don't be fooled. No real laughs, no signature scene, no flow, pace or saving grace. There is a smattering of amusing moments but not enough to pull it along at all. What may have started off as a good idea, and real nice grown up opportunity for Rudd especially as he crosses over from sophomoric movies to the big leagues, this is a dud.
How Do You Know. Witherspoon - lovely. The rest? Not even Jack Nicholson can save this. Don't believe the hype, this is a tanker.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - The Tourist
Two huge stars, Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp star in this weeks big release, The Tourist.
Right up front. Depp and Jolie are generally not tow of my favorites. Both have done great work. Jolie in 2008's Changeling I felt was Oscar-worthy. She already has one in Girl, Interrupted. Depp, hits and misses with me. Although I get why he is the star that he is. But with that said, I have to say I loved this movie.
The Tourist is movie making that is fun, exciting, and just flat out enjoyable to watch. Jolie is Elise. Depp is Frank. Elise is this beautiful young British woman who Scotland yard believes is the key to retrieving over a billion dollars in taxes on money that her lover stole from British gangsters two years earlier. She meets Frank who is an American traveling by rail in Europe. She uses him to be a diversion to the ever watching police, in hopes that they think Frank is her lover who has disappeared altogether. But one problem, she falls for Frank. Toss in the British gangsters who want their money back, and you have an everyone chasing everyone movie.
The Tourist has a real nice feel. There is international intrigue much like a Bond movie. Also it has some real fun moments. It is sexy at times, and real smart all the time. But The Tourist does not make the fatal flaw. It doesn't bog itself down by getting in it's own way. It has a story, sticks to it, and doesn't become something it's not. AND it doesn't take itself too seriously. It keeps your interest, it keeps you laughing at times and keeps you thinking always. It's just flat out well done.
Jolie and Depp are both great, nice supporting cast and a beautiful Venice, Italy backdrop. This is a nice trip to the movies. Few will be disappointed.
The Tourist. Great movie at a time we need one at the box office. Don't miss it.
Right up front. Depp and Jolie are generally not tow of my favorites. Both have done great work. Jolie in 2008's Changeling I felt was Oscar-worthy. She already has one in Girl, Interrupted. Depp, hits and misses with me. Although I get why he is the star that he is. But with that said, I have to say I loved this movie.
The Tourist is movie making that is fun, exciting, and just flat out enjoyable to watch. Jolie is Elise. Depp is Frank. Elise is this beautiful young British woman who Scotland yard believes is the key to retrieving over a billion dollars in taxes on money that her lover stole from British gangsters two years earlier. She meets Frank who is an American traveling by rail in Europe. She uses him to be a diversion to the ever watching police, in hopes that they think Frank is her lover who has disappeared altogether. But one problem, she falls for Frank. Toss in the British gangsters who want their money back, and you have an everyone chasing everyone movie.
The Tourist has a real nice feel. There is international intrigue much like a Bond movie. Also it has some real fun moments. It is sexy at times, and real smart all the time. But The Tourist does not make the fatal flaw. It doesn't bog itself down by getting in it's own way. It has a story, sticks to it, and doesn't become something it's not. AND it doesn't take itself too seriously. It keeps your interest, it keeps you laughing at times and keeps you thinking always. It's just flat out well done.
Jolie and Depp are both great, nice supporting cast and a beautiful Venice, Italy backdrop. This is a nice trip to the movies. Few will be disappointed.
The Tourist. Great movie at a time we need one at the box office. Don't miss it.
MOVIE REVIEW - Fair Game
The new Sean Penn/Naomi Watts movie Fair Game has been at the theaters for a week or two now, to literally no fanfare at all.
Fair Game is the story of the CIA agent exposing in the early days of the war in Iraq in 2003. It's the story of Joe Wilson (Penn) and his wife (Watts), as they are the victims of the federal government blowing her cover as a well decorated CIA agent. It's based on the Scooter Libby scandal who was the Vice-Presidents chief of staff in those days. In essence, the movie makes the case that the White House intentionally lied to the world for its reasons to go to war in Iraq in the wake of 9/11. And those who were potentially in the way, were destroyed in every way.
Fair Game is rather compelling movie making. A very well written script, with good dialogue, edited well, with enough to hold your interest for the duration. Penn and Watts are always good in most movies that they make, and this is no exception. To me, Watts is always compelling on screen. She has a real nice way on camera that makes her easy to watch, and usually very believable on the screen.
So why the tremendous flop? The financial numbers here are flat out embarrassing. Few reasons. Lots of competition, lots of animation, Harry Potter, and a few others as well. All valid. But a very interesting trend is developing at the movies the past couple of years. Two kinds of movies are just getting creamed. Romantic comedies, and movies view America in a less than favorable light. Fair Game is the latter. And it's just another causality of this trend. These two genres are really taking a financial beating, and Hollywood is eventually going to have to address this. These financial beat-downs to the tune of 100's of millions of dollars can't continue. To be clear, this critic doesn't think this is a good trend, to me there is room for all, but the public is speaking loudly the other way.
Fair Game is also a thinking man's movie, and that is another trend as well. The movie going public seemingly more and more just wants to be entertained. They want action, they want to laugh, they want big effects for big box office success. Animation is huge too. And much of the time, they want the movie to take them somewhere other than where they are. I feel there is room for all kinds of movies, but the box office is young people driven. Movies like Fair Game, are simply in the eye of the hurricane. Mix a young audience with the money and time to go, the subject matter, and the changing movie habits of the movie going public, and it has no chance.
Fair Game. It has it's moments, but good but not great. For the very few that will see this movie it's though provoking and open to for lively debate over coffee after it's over.
Fair Game is the story of the CIA agent exposing in the early days of the war in Iraq in 2003. It's the story of Joe Wilson (Penn) and his wife (Watts), as they are the victims of the federal government blowing her cover as a well decorated CIA agent. It's based on the Scooter Libby scandal who was the Vice-Presidents chief of staff in those days. In essence, the movie makes the case that the White House intentionally lied to the world for its reasons to go to war in Iraq in the wake of 9/11. And those who were potentially in the way, were destroyed in every way.
Fair Game is rather compelling movie making. A very well written script, with good dialogue, edited well, with enough to hold your interest for the duration. Penn and Watts are always good in most movies that they make, and this is no exception. To me, Watts is always compelling on screen. She has a real nice way on camera that makes her easy to watch, and usually very believable on the screen.
So why the tremendous flop? The financial numbers here are flat out embarrassing. Few reasons. Lots of competition, lots of animation, Harry Potter, and a few others as well. All valid. But a very interesting trend is developing at the movies the past couple of years. Two kinds of movies are just getting creamed. Romantic comedies, and movies view America in a less than favorable light. Fair Game is the latter. And it's just another causality of this trend. These two genres are really taking a financial beating, and Hollywood is eventually going to have to address this. These financial beat-downs to the tune of 100's of millions of dollars can't continue. To be clear, this critic doesn't think this is a good trend, to me there is room for all, but the public is speaking loudly the other way.
Fair Game is also a thinking man's movie, and that is another trend as well. The movie going public seemingly more and more just wants to be entertained. They want action, they want to laugh, they want big effects for big box office success. Animation is huge too. And much of the time, they want the movie to take them somewhere other than where they are. I feel there is room for all kinds of movies, but the box office is young people driven. Movies like Fair Game, are simply in the eye of the hurricane. Mix a young audience with the money and time to go, the subject matter, and the changing movie habits of the movie going public, and it has no chance.
Fair Game. It has it's moments, but good but not great. For the very few that will see this movie it's though provoking and open to for lively debate over coffee after it's over.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Merry Christmas - Banana Pie
Christmas time is just about here, and I think that this time of the year gets lots of us thinking about family. And no matter what Christmas I think of, I always think of banana pie.
We are a small family, both immediate and extended. For a number of years my youngest cousin Heather, used to make me some kind of banana chiffon pie for Christmas. She started this when she was in her teens, and continued it for quite a while. She is my Uncle Johns daughter, and we used to spend Christmas with them all the time. They would come over on Christmas Eve, and Heather would be right there with that pie. She would emphatically state that this was my pie to all. We didn't really exchange gifts with them, but Heather always brought me that pie.
The first year was a learning experience. Heather gave me the pie, and I did what you would do. I shared it with everyone. But one bite in, I knew I had really made a tremendous blunder of epic proportions. This was, and is without question the best pie I have ever eaten! That was the last year of the good will towards men option with the pie. I would start taking Heathers advice. It was my pie. This went on for years. Heather making it, and me hogging it, I'm not ashamed, and no one blamed me. For they too, would do the same if they had been the chosen one.
Time, miles and life, have spanned a long bridge since then, and the pie is just a story now in family lore. But it's a great memory for me. I am not a big brother as I am the youngest in my immediate family. But I felt like one then. Heather has no brothers, so maybe in those days she saw me as such. For some reason then I guess I was special to Heather and she just felt like doing something nice for me.
And you know, I never found out why Heather chose me for this honor. And I still don't know. I remember though that it always made me happy that a family member chose me for something a little extra special for no real reason, and asked for nothing in return. I never asked her, or my aunt and uncle why. I figured if Heather wanted to tell me, she would. It wouldn't be Christmas to me without thinking about it.
Over the years I have wondered, did that pie taste a little extra good because it was a nice gesture intended just for me? And the answer is yes. I mean how could it not be? I am always so moved at life's little gestures. The idea that someone takes time and would do something nice specifically for me......is still a big deal to me, and I think that is straight from Heather making me a pie. As a young adult at the time it meant a lot to me. And it still does.
I don't see Heather as much as I used to. She lives a long way away, and our lives have gone in different directions. But I have to still say thank you to Heather for being so nice to me then. Sadly, I may have been too young at the time to really know how long that memory would stay with me. For at the time it was just pie. But now it's pure gold...... to me.
And for the record? It's still the greatest pie in the world.
We are a small family, both immediate and extended. For a number of years my youngest cousin Heather, used to make me some kind of banana chiffon pie for Christmas. She started this when she was in her teens, and continued it for quite a while. She is my Uncle Johns daughter, and we used to spend Christmas with them all the time. They would come over on Christmas Eve, and Heather would be right there with that pie. She would emphatically state that this was my pie to all. We didn't really exchange gifts with them, but Heather always brought me that pie.
The first year was a learning experience. Heather gave me the pie, and I did what you would do. I shared it with everyone. But one bite in, I knew I had really made a tremendous blunder of epic proportions. This was, and is without question the best pie I have ever eaten! That was the last year of the good will towards men option with the pie. I would start taking Heathers advice. It was my pie. This went on for years. Heather making it, and me hogging it, I'm not ashamed, and no one blamed me. For they too, would do the same if they had been the chosen one.
Time, miles and life, have spanned a long bridge since then, and the pie is just a story now in family lore. But it's a great memory for me. I am not a big brother as I am the youngest in my immediate family. But I felt like one then. Heather has no brothers, so maybe in those days she saw me as such. For some reason then I guess I was special to Heather and she just felt like doing something nice for me.
And you know, I never found out why Heather chose me for this honor. And I still don't know. I remember though that it always made me happy that a family member chose me for something a little extra special for no real reason, and asked for nothing in return. I never asked her, or my aunt and uncle why. I figured if Heather wanted to tell me, she would. It wouldn't be Christmas to me without thinking about it.
Over the years I have wondered, did that pie taste a little extra good because it was a nice gesture intended just for me? And the answer is yes. I mean how could it not be? I am always so moved at life's little gestures. The idea that someone takes time and would do something nice specifically for me......is still a big deal to me, and I think that is straight from Heather making me a pie. As a young adult at the time it meant a lot to me. And it still does.
I don't see Heather as much as I used to. She lives a long way away, and our lives have gone in different directions. But I have to still say thank you to Heather for being so nice to me then. Sadly, I may have been too young at the time to really know how long that memory would stay with me. For at the time it was just pie. But now it's pure gold...... to me.
And for the record? It's still the greatest pie in the world.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - 127 Hours
James Franco stars in the new 127 Hours, based of the incredible true story of Aron Ralston in 2003.
Ralston was rock climbing in Utah alone, when he became wedged in a narrow canyon with his arm trapped between two rocks. He was stranded there isolated for 5 days, before taking extraordinary measures to free himself. Today, he is married with a small child.
Franco stars as Ralston who was in those days a selfish, loner who had a passion for the outdoors. He takes off alone to the deep canyons of Utah, without letting anyone know he is going, where he is going, and with less than desirable equipment to be in such a wilderness. Due to really no fault of his own, a freak happening traps him alone, deep in a canyon with no real chance for escape. After exhausting all sensible options, he resorts to insensible ones in the quest for survival.
First, this is a very compelling story, and it is told about as well as it could be. Much of this movie is simply Franco alone wedged in the rocks trying to get out. There are tons of flashbacks, and self exploration for the character as well. This is a hard story to tell in a movie, simply because there may not be enough story to tell. He gets stuck. He tries to get out. He eventually does. Franco is very good here. His performance not unlike Tom Hanks in Castaway. But 127 is much shorter and to the point.
127 will leave some bored, and others compelled. This will be a feast or famine for many. This has been the subject of many TV magazine shows, and the story is interesting enough. But for some there will not be enough to sustain attention. Also, this is hard to watch at times as you might imagine what Ralston has do do to free himself.
127 is very loud and weird at times when is shouldn't be. A very strange musical soundtrack to boot. I'm guessing these might be the songs in Ralston's head at the time. Also, the beginning and end of this movie has annoying sequences that have virtually nothing to do with any part of the meat of this movie.
127 Hours. I enjoyed it overall, simply because it's a good story of the human spirit. But with that said, I was ready for it to be over. It's a tough squeeze to eek out 90 minutes of movie here.
Ralston was rock climbing in Utah alone, when he became wedged in a narrow canyon with his arm trapped between two rocks. He was stranded there isolated for 5 days, before taking extraordinary measures to free himself. Today, he is married with a small child.
Franco stars as Ralston who was in those days a selfish, loner who had a passion for the outdoors. He takes off alone to the deep canyons of Utah, without letting anyone know he is going, where he is going, and with less than desirable equipment to be in such a wilderness. Due to really no fault of his own, a freak happening traps him alone, deep in a canyon with no real chance for escape. After exhausting all sensible options, he resorts to insensible ones in the quest for survival.
First, this is a very compelling story, and it is told about as well as it could be. Much of this movie is simply Franco alone wedged in the rocks trying to get out. There are tons of flashbacks, and self exploration for the character as well. This is a hard story to tell in a movie, simply because there may not be enough story to tell. He gets stuck. He tries to get out. He eventually does. Franco is very good here. His performance not unlike Tom Hanks in Castaway. But 127 is much shorter and to the point.
127 will leave some bored, and others compelled. This will be a feast or famine for many. This has been the subject of many TV magazine shows, and the story is interesting enough. But for some there will not be enough to sustain attention. Also, this is hard to watch at times as you might imagine what Ralston has do do to free himself.
127 is very loud and weird at times when is shouldn't be. A very strange musical soundtrack to boot. I'm guessing these might be the songs in Ralston's head at the time. Also, the beginning and end of this movie has annoying sequences that have virtually nothing to do with any part of the meat of this movie.
127 Hours. I enjoyed it overall, simply because it's a good story of the human spirit. But with that said, I was ready for it to be over. It's a tough squeeze to eek out 90 minutes of movie here.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
WQMX Tree Of Lights 2010
The time is here again for the annual WQMX Tree Of Lights.
I have written about it before. Our yearly fundraiser for the Haven Of Rest in downtown Akron. They help people of course, get back on their feet and off the street. For three days we ask that the community really come together and support this wonderful asset with financial donations. You always show up. And right up front, we thank you.
Thursday morning my partner Sue Wilson and I will start the radiothon on our show at 6am on WQMX. At 10am we will go down stairs and take our place at the table at our studios at 1795 West Market Street underneath the tree and ask that you come by and donate. Sue and I will be there for much of the next three days, and the balance of the WQMX staff will anchor the cause as well. It's a great time to get to know us, and us you. Lots of hugs and handshaking this week.
Sue and I have been talking with many of the people who have been through the Haven Of Rest recently, and they have shared their moving stories. One thing that has really made an impression on me is this. The reasons so many people can find themselves so alone, and so close to the edge are so many and different than you might think. As our world has changed, so have our problems. After listening to many of them, you can't help but think that this could be you, or someone you know or love someday. I know it's hard to even think about. But where would you go, what would you do if your troubles were big and many, and your options few or none? What if the pressures of the world were about to swallow you whole? To think that the Haven Of Rest is just a place for a bunch of homeless guys to crash out of the night's cold is antiquated.
Men, women and children of all kinds have found solace, comfort and new hope at the Haven Of Rest. One of the many things we learned is that lots of them never imagined finding themselves there. But when there was no place left to turn, and a door needed to be warmly opened, The Haven was there. We live in a fast paced, hard to keep up world these days, and for many it can be a real challenge. None of us make it through this world unscathed. But for some, the scathing can be a little deeper. The path can get long, narrow, dark, and possibly life threatening. Thank goodness for the Haven Of Rest.
The Haven picks people up, collects the pieces worth saving, and adds some that are new. And with love carefully glues those back together who wish to be so, and prepares them for life anew. Many leave with a lighter heart, wider shoulders and a second chance they thought was offered, given and spent many years earlier. They leave wearing the cloak of security that The Haven will be there for them again on those days that the darkness tries to creep back in and eclipse the new found light. In many cases The Haven saves lives, and has been doing so for many years. No one in our country really does it better than they do. These are people worth supporting.
The WQMX Tree Of Lights is proud to be supporting The Haven Of Rest, and we hope you support them this week with us too. There's always a nice feeling around the station Tree Of Lights week. I am very passionate about what I do for a living every day, but this week is one of my favorite times to work here. Feels good to do good. It always feels good to know when you are on the side of the angels. And this is that time.
From the bottom of all of our hearts, thank you in advance for your support of the WQMX Tree Of Lights.
I have written about it before. Our yearly fundraiser for the Haven Of Rest in downtown Akron. They help people of course, get back on their feet and off the street. For three days we ask that the community really come together and support this wonderful asset with financial donations. You always show up. And right up front, we thank you.
Thursday morning my partner Sue Wilson and I will start the radiothon on our show at 6am on WQMX. At 10am we will go down stairs and take our place at the table at our studios at 1795 West Market Street underneath the tree and ask that you come by and donate. Sue and I will be there for much of the next three days, and the balance of the WQMX staff will anchor the cause as well. It's a great time to get to know us, and us you. Lots of hugs and handshaking this week.
Sue and I have been talking with many of the people who have been through the Haven Of Rest recently, and they have shared their moving stories. One thing that has really made an impression on me is this. The reasons so many people can find themselves so alone, and so close to the edge are so many and different than you might think. As our world has changed, so have our problems. After listening to many of them, you can't help but think that this could be you, or someone you know or love someday. I know it's hard to even think about. But where would you go, what would you do if your troubles were big and many, and your options few or none? What if the pressures of the world were about to swallow you whole? To think that the Haven Of Rest is just a place for a bunch of homeless guys to crash out of the night's cold is antiquated.
Men, women and children of all kinds have found solace, comfort and new hope at the Haven Of Rest. One of the many things we learned is that lots of them never imagined finding themselves there. But when there was no place left to turn, and a door needed to be warmly opened, The Haven was there. We live in a fast paced, hard to keep up world these days, and for many it can be a real challenge. None of us make it through this world unscathed. But for some, the scathing can be a little deeper. The path can get long, narrow, dark, and possibly life threatening. Thank goodness for the Haven Of Rest.
The Haven picks people up, collects the pieces worth saving, and adds some that are new. And with love carefully glues those back together who wish to be so, and prepares them for life anew. Many leave with a lighter heart, wider shoulders and a second chance they thought was offered, given and spent many years earlier. They leave wearing the cloak of security that The Haven will be there for them again on those days that the darkness tries to creep back in and eclipse the new found light. In many cases The Haven saves lives, and has been doing so for many years. No one in our country really does it better than they do. These are people worth supporting.
The WQMX Tree Of Lights is proud to be supporting The Haven Of Rest, and we hope you support them this week with us too. There's always a nice feeling around the station Tree Of Lights week. I am very passionate about what I do for a living every day, but this week is one of my favorite times to work here. Feels good to do good. It always feels good to know when you are on the side of the angels. And this is that time.
From the bottom of all of our hearts, thank you in advance for your support of the WQMX Tree Of Lights.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Faster
Don't call him "The Rock" anymore, call him Duane Johnson.
And here he is with his latest movie, Faster. Strange time of the year to release a movie like this. Very dark,. sad, spiteful, angry, and a movie filled with revenge killing, and no real reason to smile. Faster is the story of a young man (Johnson) who does 10 years in jail for his role in bank robbery gone wrong with his brother and his posse. The gang is then hijacked by another group, and his brother is brutally killed. And our "hero" is shot in the head - but lives.
After his release, he goes on a spree of cold blooded revenge killings of every member of the gang that shot him and killed his brother. OK. This sounds like a ton of other "B" to "C" movies that you've seen before. But after to peel back all the killing, and the anger, and the extreme violence this movie possesses, you have a pretty good story here. This story has the twists, turns, irony, and even some of the spirituality of a good Steven King novel, which it is not. In fact, this story may actually read better than it comes to the screen.
Johnson, as the lead is not asked to do much. He is a focused character without much to say, except quick targeted lines. He is a character of mystery, who tells his story through action not words. Much like a Clint Eastwood "Spaghetti Westerns" character. Billy Bob Thornton as the cop gone wrong cop who is tangled in this story is really good, and the supporting cast is well cast, and all pretty strong.
I went into Faster with pretty low expectations, and for a while, I felt like I had seen this movie in it's rare form many times before. And in some aspects, we all have. But, this is a pretty good story, that is just more than raw and brutal killing. Be advised, there is extreme violence here, and Faster is certainly not for everyone. It is charged with testosterone, loud at times , and chock full of most everything that can make some movies tough to watch for some at times. But after all of that is put on the table, the story here is one worth telling....or reading.
Faster......the story here is really pretty good. Think it might be a better read than movie. But with that said, this movie is much better than the low expectations I went in with. Limited audience, but in the overall body of work, better than one would think.
And here he is with his latest movie, Faster. Strange time of the year to release a movie like this. Very dark,. sad, spiteful, angry, and a movie filled with revenge killing, and no real reason to smile. Faster is the story of a young man (Johnson) who does 10 years in jail for his role in bank robbery gone wrong with his brother and his posse. The gang is then hijacked by another group, and his brother is brutally killed. And our "hero" is shot in the head - but lives.
After his release, he goes on a spree of cold blooded revenge killings of every member of the gang that shot him and killed his brother. OK. This sounds like a ton of other "B" to "C" movies that you've seen before. But after to peel back all the killing, and the anger, and the extreme violence this movie possesses, you have a pretty good story here. This story has the twists, turns, irony, and even some of the spirituality of a good Steven King novel, which it is not. In fact, this story may actually read better than it comes to the screen.
Johnson, as the lead is not asked to do much. He is a focused character without much to say, except quick targeted lines. He is a character of mystery, who tells his story through action not words. Much like a Clint Eastwood "Spaghetti Westerns" character. Billy Bob Thornton as the cop gone wrong cop who is tangled in this story is really good, and the supporting cast is well cast, and all pretty strong.
I went into Faster with pretty low expectations, and for a while, I felt like I had seen this movie in it's rare form many times before. And in some aspects, we all have. But, this is a pretty good story, that is just more than raw and brutal killing. Be advised, there is extreme violence here, and Faster is certainly not for everyone. It is charged with testosterone, loud at times , and chock full of most everything that can make some movies tough to watch for some at times. But after all of that is put on the table, the story here is one worth telling....or reading.
Faster......the story here is really pretty good. Think it might be a better read than movie. But with that said, this movie is much better than the low expectations I went in with. Limited audience, but in the overall body of work, better than one would think.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Love And Other Drugs
The movies come early this week because of the holiday, and Love And Other Drugs is in the theaters.
LAOD stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, and a real strong supporting cast in the aptly rated R romantic comedy. At least that it appears to be a romantic comedy on the surface, but you need to dig deeper. It's more than just that. But it should be noted maybe again. This is a true R rated movie.
Meet Jamie (Gyllenhaal). He is a rep from a major drug company in the mid 1990's. He is a real ladies man, and now he's selling Viagra in it's early days. He is borderline out of control, until he meets Maggie (Hathaway). Maggie is a beautiful, quirky seemingly free spirit who is way off the beaten path. She is a mere 26 years old, and has stage one Parkinson's Disease, very rare for someone so young. She and Jamie start up this purely physical relationship that at first which is fine, but as life dictates....it's not really sustainable. Will they fall in love? Can Jamie accept Maggie's fate? Can Maggie let Jamie get close despite her illness? All good questions, and all a big part of LAOD.
There are some real fun moments in this movie. Nice characters that are clearly developed. And for the most part a story that you don't see every day. This is a movie you have to stick with too. It looks like a few times it's going off into the ditch, only to save itself at the last possible moment. Not all of this works. Some really stupid scenes mixed in with some really good ones, make it a bit inconsistent. There are a few too many characters mixed in. And at times this all gets a bit jumbled up, and bogged down.
But after you wade through a lot of ups and downs, LAOD comes together real nice near the end. It stops being what is. And becomes what it could be. Not many newer comedies have the guts to do that, but this does. A real nice finish with a big heart. This movie slowly leaves the silly comedy behind, and ushers in a nice mix of drama, realism, all the while being topical.
I'm not certain the major drug companies, the medical field, and a few other groups will find much humor here. This movie does paint these groups in a very dim light, and for a time does become slightly agenda laden, but it's not a deal breaker. Nice performances by all involved here. Our stars and our supporting cast, that includes, Oliver Platt, and Hank Azaria.
Love And Other Drugs. You have to hang with it but at the days end.... not perfect, but not bad either.
LAOD stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, and a real strong supporting cast in the aptly rated R romantic comedy. At least that it appears to be a romantic comedy on the surface, but you need to dig deeper. It's more than just that. But it should be noted maybe again. This is a true R rated movie.
Meet Jamie (Gyllenhaal). He is a rep from a major drug company in the mid 1990's. He is a real ladies man, and now he's selling Viagra in it's early days. He is borderline out of control, until he meets Maggie (Hathaway). Maggie is a beautiful, quirky seemingly free spirit who is way off the beaten path. She is a mere 26 years old, and has stage one Parkinson's Disease, very rare for someone so young. She and Jamie start up this purely physical relationship that at first which is fine, but as life dictates....it's not really sustainable. Will they fall in love? Can Jamie accept Maggie's fate? Can Maggie let Jamie get close despite her illness? All good questions, and all a big part of LAOD.
There are some real fun moments in this movie. Nice characters that are clearly developed. And for the most part a story that you don't see every day. This is a movie you have to stick with too. It looks like a few times it's going off into the ditch, only to save itself at the last possible moment. Not all of this works. Some really stupid scenes mixed in with some really good ones, make it a bit inconsistent. There are a few too many characters mixed in. And at times this all gets a bit jumbled up, and bogged down.
But after you wade through a lot of ups and downs, LAOD comes together real nice near the end. It stops being what is. And becomes what it could be. Not many newer comedies have the guts to do that, but this does. A real nice finish with a big heart. This movie slowly leaves the silly comedy behind, and ushers in a nice mix of drama, realism, all the while being topical.
I'm not certain the major drug companies, the medical field, and a few other groups will find much humor here. This movie does paint these groups in a very dim light, and for a time does become slightly agenda laden, but it's not a deal breaker. Nice performances by all involved here. Our stars and our supporting cast, that includes, Oliver Platt, and Hank Azaria.
Love And Other Drugs. You have to hang with it but at the days end.... not perfect, but not bad either.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Thanksgiving From Upstairs
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year and it's not even close. It's all that's good in any holiday. No gifts, no real pressure. It's just a day of the four F's! Family, food, football and fun! But maybe the bigger picture is, that few holidays are as pure and provide as much perspective as Thanksgiving. At least for me.
Thanksgiving 1983.
It is one I will never forget. I had just moved to Columbus, and was working at a big county station there. I had to work that morning, and because of reasons I can't fully remember I was going to spend Thanksgiving totally alone - for the first time. I was not home with any family, and being new in town I hadn't made any friends yet. I got home around 11am. It then hit me. It was just me, and the Detroit Lions in the early game and the Dallas Cowboys in the late game. I was young, broke and sitting in my 175 dollar a month apartment by myself. I remember running on adrenaline for a while. My own place, my own couch, control of the TV, but then about the fourth quarter of the Detroit game, it hit me. Thanksgiving alone. No turkey, no nothing.
Then a knock on my door. It was my upstairs neighbor Suzy. I sort-of knew her. We'd see each other in the parking lot, exchange pleasantries. She was 10 years or so older than me. She stopped by to give me a plate of Thanksgiving dinner from her parents house she brought for me. I asked her to stay. She declined saying said she had to go to sleep because she worked third shift. But she saw me leave early that morning and was worried I was going to be alone. Bless her. To this day, I never learned Suzy's last name, as she moved out a few weeks later.
As a young adult, it was among the first times I remember another adult really doing something really nice for me. The food was great, and so was her thoughtfulness. I was so excited I actually drank 2 Pepsi's that day as a treat. I was so poor, I rationed myself to only one per day. It fact may sound so silly to some given today's world, but then the whole thing was a big deal to me. It's been almost 30 years, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Not much can make me well up and get slightly boo-hooey. But this memory can.
I grew up a bunch that afternoon between Detroit and Dallas. I learned that there are some really nice people in the world that do great things just because. Also, that tough days, no matter how tough yield to better ones..not just once ..but always. Plus, I learned that I better up my game, and that the people I was going to be in contact with from here on in as an adult were exactly that - adult.
It was the year that Thanksgiving became my favorite holiday, when actually I was on my way to loathing it an hour earlier. I learned that day that Thanksgiving is aptly named. A day for thanks....and a day for giving.
God bless you Suzy.....wherever you are.....Just bless you......
Thanksgiving 1983.
It is one I will never forget. I had just moved to Columbus, and was working at a big county station there. I had to work that morning, and because of reasons I can't fully remember I was going to spend Thanksgiving totally alone - for the first time. I was not home with any family, and being new in town I hadn't made any friends yet. I got home around 11am. It then hit me. It was just me, and the Detroit Lions in the early game and the Dallas Cowboys in the late game. I was young, broke and sitting in my 175 dollar a month apartment by myself. I remember running on adrenaline for a while. My own place, my own couch, control of the TV, but then about the fourth quarter of the Detroit game, it hit me. Thanksgiving alone. No turkey, no nothing.
Then a knock on my door. It was my upstairs neighbor Suzy. I sort-of knew her. We'd see each other in the parking lot, exchange pleasantries. She was 10 years or so older than me. She stopped by to give me a plate of Thanksgiving dinner from her parents house she brought for me. I asked her to stay. She declined saying said she had to go to sleep because she worked third shift. But she saw me leave early that morning and was worried I was going to be alone. Bless her. To this day, I never learned Suzy's last name, as she moved out a few weeks later.
As a young adult, it was among the first times I remember another adult really doing something really nice for me. The food was great, and so was her thoughtfulness. I was so excited I actually drank 2 Pepsi's that day as a treat. I was so poor, I rationed myself to only one per day. It fact may sound so silly to some given today's world, but then the whole thing was a big deal to me. It's been almost 30 years, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Not much can make me well up and get slightly boo-hooey. But this memory can.
I grew up a bunch that afternoon between Detroit and Dallas. I learned that there are some really nice people in the world that do great things just because. Also, that tough days, no matter how tough yield to better ones..not just once ..but always. Plus, I learned that I better up my game, and that the people I was going to be in contact with from here on in as an adult were exactly that - adult.
It was the year that Thanksgiving became my favorite holiday, when actually I was on my way to loathing it an hour earlier. I learned that day that Thanksgiving is aptly named. A day for thanks....and a day for giving.
God bless you Suzy.....wherever you are.....Just bless you......
Friday, November 19, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - The Next Three Days
The new action-thriller, The Next Three Days is new this week.
Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks star in this escape from prison movie, that has people talking, especially those who are looking for something besides Harry Potter at the movies this week. The interesting thing here is, this movie even with Harry as it's competition, will cut through and be a hit.
This is the story of a young couple with a young son. The wife (Banks) is convicted of murdering her boss, and is sent to prison for life. Her husband, (Crowe) has exhausted all legal means to get her a new trial, so he decides to take matters in his own hands and spring her out of jail. He designs a plan with the help of a former con turned author (Liam Neeson). He teaches him the basics, and then it's all put into motion. Will he succeed? That's TNTD.
This is a pretty good movie. And even though it drags its feet for some of it, the story is for the most part strong enough to pull it though. This movie is a bit belabored, and some scenes are entirely too long. Also, you must be patient. It takes is own sweet time getting to the parts you really want to see. But Crowe is always solid, and he delivers in this really big role.
If you've seen the trailer for this movie and are excited about seeing Liam Neeson and Crowe together, think again. This is the movies major flaw. The commercials show you the ONLY scene where Neeson is in the movie. Five minutes at the beginning. A seemingly great character, for five short minutes. So in essence, Neeson is NOT in this movie. False advertising.
But this is action based, and it delivers that extremely well. A nice supporting cast, with a beautiful backdrop of Pittsburgh and surrounding area. At times this can be a bit convenient and bit fat-fetched, but if you are willing to overlook a blemish or two, this is a good night at the movies.
The Next Three Days. Not great, and not perfect, but good enough to invest an evening into.
Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks star in this escape from prison movie, that has people talking, especially those who are looking for something besides Harry Potter at the movies this week. The interesting thing here is, this movie even with Harry as it's competition, will cut through and be a hit.
This is the story of a young couple with a young son. The wife (Banks) is convicted of murdering her boss, and is sent to prison for life. Her husband, (Crowe) has exhausted all legal means to get her a new trial, so he decides to take matters in his own hands and spring her out of jail. He designs a plan with the help of a former con turned author (Liam Neeson). He teaches him the basics, and then it's all put into motion. Will he succeed? That's TNTD.
This is a pretty good movie. And even though it drags its feet for some of it, the story is for the most part strong enough to pull it though. This movie is a bit belabored, and some scenes are entirely too long. Also, you must be patient. It takes is own sweet time getting to the parts you really want to see. But Crowe is always solid, and he delivers in this really big role.
If you've seen the trailer for this movie and are excited about seeing Liam Neeson and Crowe together, think again. This is the movies major flaw. The commercials show you the ONLY scene where Neeson is in the movie. Five minutes at the beginning. A seemingly great character, for five short minutes. So in essence, Neeson is NOT in this movie. False advertising.
But this is action based, and it delivers that extremely well. A nice supporting cast, with a beautiful backdrop of Pittsburgh and surrounding area. At times this can be a bit convenient and bit fat-fetched, but if you are willing to overlook a blemish or two, this is a good night at the movies.
The Next Three Days. Not great, and not perfect, but good enough to invest an evening into.
MOVIE REVIEW - Skyline
There's a new Sci-Fi flick at the movies this week, Skyline.
Real simple. Skyline is the story of a small group of young people, all friends, who end up in Los Angeles together and try to survive an alien attack. After a big night of partying, some kind of super advanced alien monsters descend down on LA, and begin extermination of humans. Our small group of heroes somehow become the only people to hold out as long as they do. Will the monsters get them? Or will they live to tell their kids about it. That is Skyline.
This movie really has the feel of a bunch of dudes, getting together and writing a comic book style movie script. You know with these real rad monsters, that come down and like destroy things, and like harvest humans and steal their brains and stuff. It'll be real cool - awesome even. It very hard to take any of this seriously.
There really is no significant story line here. Terrible dialogue, and really marginal performances by actors that look like this is their first go around. The makers are so intent on creating these aliens, they forget to tell us anything meaningful. Like a story, who these aliens are, and why they do the things they are doing. But they sure like to show you these aliens harvesting human brains, and stalking our cast over and over again. And to be honest that is the good part. There are too many holes to plug here.
Skyline does have some real nice effects, but that's about where the line has to be drawn. The over all movie making is very sophomoric and borderline silly. If you are a huge comic book geek, or intense Sci-fi nut who thinks this kind of matter is interesting, then this is your day. But for the rest, it's not scary, suspenseful or groundbreaking in any way.
Skyline. Skip it for sure.
Real simple. Skyline is the story of a small group of young people, all friends, who end up in Los Angeles together and try to survive an alien attack. After a big night of partying, some kind of super advanced alien monsters descend down on LA, and begin extermination of humans. Our small group of heroes somehow become the only people to hold out as long as they do. Will the monsters get them? Or will they live to tell their kids about it. That is Skyline.
This movie really has the feel of a bunch of dudes, getting together and writing a comic book style movie script. You know with these real rad monsters, that come down and like destroy things, and like harvest humans and steal their brains and stuff. It'll be real cool - awesome even. It very hard to take any of this seriously.
There really is no significant story line here. Terrible dialogue, and really marginal performances by actors that look like this is their first go around. The makers are so intent on creating these aliens, they forget to tell us anything meaningful. Like a story, who these aliens are, and why they do the things they are doing. But they sure like to show you these aliens harvesting human brains, and stalking our cast over and over again. And to be honest that is the good part. There are too many holes to plug here.
Skyline does have some real nice effects, but that's about where the line has to be drawn. The over all movie making is very sophomoric and borderline silly. If you are a huge comic book geek, or intense Sci-fi nut who thinks this kind of matter is interesting, then this is your day. But for the rest, it's not scary, suspenseful or groundbreaking in any way.
Skyline. Skip it for sure.
Monday, November 15, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Morning Glory
The lovely Rachel McAdams stars in the new comedy Morning Glory, new at the box office this week.
MG also stars Harrison Ford, and Diane Keaton in this movie about early morning network TV, and all that goes with it. MG isn't a romantic comedy, and it's not a true comedy, truth is this movie is tough to label other than the fact that there are some funny moments.
Meet Becky (McAdams). She is a young naive TV producer in New Jersey. She is totally married to her work. She ends up losing her job due to budget cuts, and ends up as the Executive Producer at the fictional IBS (interesting letter choice) Network in New York City. She takes over a show called Daybreak which is terrible both on the air, and in the ratings. Her job is to revive this show, before it gets cancelled. Keaton is Colleen, who has been with the show forever. Ford is Mr. Pomeroy, an aging former news giant, who has this aversion to morning television. Somehow Becky has to make it all work out.
MG does a few things very well. It establishes a wonderful Becky, who is fun, and funny, ADD, smart, aggressive and generally likeable. Her chemistry with the two ego giants on her show is really funny. MG takes no prisoners in the lampooning of TV anchors, and makes them out to be raging ego manics. And that is funny as well. It also takes you behind the scenes of network TV as best it can, and shows you the really tough business that it is. There are some very funny scenes here, and some out loud laughs. But sadly, not enough of them.
McAdams is fun again, but I am still of the belief that she is a better second banana than leading lady. Keaton is typically good. Ford as Pomeroy is very glum and dark, and even though it's part of the shtick, it does get old quickly, and you may find yourself ready for the story to move on. And it finally does, begrudgingly. This movie lags badly in it's middle, but rebounds for a decent finish without being silly. There's enough silliness already here. Also, a bad decision for some kind of love story with Becky and a coworker really doesn't work. Plus, it actually makes you question is Becky really as smart as the movie is trying so hard to convince you that she is. That side plot is awkward, and doesn't make this a better movie, just a more formula one.
Nice supporting cast throughout including Jeff Goldblum, and others. MG has a nice soundtrack skillfully woven in the mix, and a story that although isn't great, is good enough to pull it through. The real problem with MG, is that it will be forgettable. Never a good thing at the movies.
Morning glory, for today, OK, for next year at this time? What movie was that???
MG also stars Harrison Ford, and Diane Keaton in this movie about early morning network TV, and all that goes with it. MG isn't a romantic comedy, and it's not a true comedy, truth is this movie is tough to label other than the fact that there are some funny moments.
Meet Becky (McAdams). She is a young naive TV producer in New Jersey. She is totally married to her work. She ends up losing her job due to budget cuts, and ends up as the Executive Producer at the fictional IBS (interesting letter choice) Network in New York City. She takes over a show called Daybreak which is terrible both on the air, and in the ratings. Her job is to revive this show, before it gets cancelled. Keaton is Colleen, who has been with the show forever. Ford is Mr. Pomeroy, an aging former news giant, who has this aversion to morning television. Somehow Becky has to make it all work out.
MG does a few things very well. It establishes a wonderful Becky, who is fun, and funny, ADD, smart, aggressive and generally likeable. Her chemistry with the two ego giants on her show is really funny. MG takes no prisoners in the lampooning of TV anchors, and makes them out to be raging ego manics. And that is funny as well. It also takes you behind the scenes of network TV as best it can, and shows you the really tough business that it is. There are some very funny scenes here, and some out loud laughs. But sadly, not enough of them.
McAdams is fun again, but I am still of the belief that she is a better second banana than leading lady. Keaton is typically good. Ford as Pomeroy is very glum and dark, and even though it's part of the shtick, it does get old quickly, and you may find yourself ready for the story to move on. And it finally does, begrudgingly. This movie lags badly in it's middle, but rebounds for a decent finish without being silly. There's enough silliness already here. Also, a bad decision for some kind of love story with Becky and a coworker really doesn't work. Plus, it actually makes you question is Becky really as smart as the movie is trying so hard to convince you that she is. That side plot is awkward, and doesn't make this a better movie, just a more formula one.
Nice supporting cast throughout including Jeff Goldblum, and others. MG has a nice soundtrack skillfully woven in the mix, and a story that although isn't great, is good enough to pull it through. The real problem with MG, is that it will be forgettable. Never a good thing at the movies.
Morning glory, for today, OK, for next year at this time? What movie was that???
Saturday, November 13, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Unstoppable
The new action flick Unstoppable opens this weekend, and it does not disappoint.
Unstoppable is the runaway train movie you've heard about, based on true events a couple of years ago. Human error somehow gets a locomotive complete with a ton of cars attached running unmanned down a main line in rural Pennsylvania. As it heads towards more populated areas, the 70mph train of course becomes seemingly "unstoppable." How will they get this under control, without huge loss of life, and real destruction?
Denzel Washington stars as the 28 year veteran engineer, and Chris Pine is the rookie, and they fall into the middle of the plot to be our heroes and get this train stopped. There is a real fine performance too from Rosario Dawson, as the Yard Manager, and the rest of the supporting cast is unknown and adequate.
But Unstoppable is a real nice. exciting movie with a story that isn't told every day. This movie gets you right in the middle of it, without making you wait 30 minutes for them to develop some kind of ancillary story line. They get right to it, and deliver what you paid to see. Wonderfully filmed, with some real breath taking action, and some heart pounding and heart breaking scenes. Plus, it takes us to places we seldom could go. In the pulse center of a rail yard, and in the cab of a speeding 10 million pound train.
Unstoppable is not perfect. There is some real poor dialogue, and it's a bit campy at times. Also there is this focus on the news media and their coverage of it. And in and out, the reporters in the movie act as narrators, and that really doesn't work. Bad choice. Also, a bit too much "good guy, bad guy" too, but it's not a deal breaker. Unstoppable says you're going to see some really well done, real life action, and you do.
Washington has really reinvented himself recently as a "thinking mans" action hero, and I like it. He's solid here and easy to watch. And he is the glue. Unstoppable is solid, but just as The Book Of Eli did, Unstoppable needs Washington to succeed. And both do.
Unstoppable. Exciting and very well done. Go for the ride!
Unstoppable is the runaway train movie you've heard about, based on true events a couple of years ago. Human error somehow gets a locomotive complete with a ton of cars attached running unmanned down a main line in rural Pennsylvania. As it heads towards more populated areas, the 70mph train of course becomes seemingly "unstoppable." How will they get this under control, without huge loss of life, and real destruction?
Denzel Washington stars as the 28 year veteran engineer, and Chris Pine is the rookie, and they fall into the middle of the plot to be our heroes and get this train stopped. There is a real fine performance too from Rosario Dawson, as the Yard Manager, and the rest of the supporting cast is unknown and adequate.
But Unstoppable is a real nice. exciting movie with a story that isn't told every day. This movie gets you right in the middle of it, without making you wait 30 minutes for them to develop some kind of ancillary story line. They get right to it, and deliver what you paid to see. Wonderfully filmed, with some real breath taking action, and some heart pounding and heart breaking scenes. Plus, it takes us to places we seldom could go. In the pulse center of a rail yard, and in the cab of a speeding 10 million pound train.
Unstoppable is not perfect. There is some real poor dialogue, and it's a bit campy at times. Also there is this focus on the news media and their coverage of it. And in and out, the reporters in the movie act as narrators, and that really doesn't work. Bad choice. Also, a bit too much "good guy, bad guy" too, but it's not a deal breaker. Unstoppable says you're going to see some really well done, real life action, and you do.
Washington has really reinvented himself recently as a "thinking mans" action hero, and I like it. He's solid here and easy to watch. And he is the glue. Unstoppable is solid, but just as The Book Of Eli did, Unstoppable needs Washington to succeed. And both do.
Unstoppable. Exciting and very well done. Go for the ride!
Friday, November 5, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Due Date
Due Date is out this weekend with Robert Downey Jr., and Hollywood's newest funnyman Zack Galifianakis.
Due Date is without question this generations Planes, Trains And Automobiles. You may remember that very funny John Hughes movie from 1987 with Steve Martin and John Candy. About two totally mis-matched guys thrown together and forced on a cross-country trip. One straight laced and uptight. The other goofy, strange, quirky and a bit off. Due Date is the exact same movie. OK, the story is slightly different, and many things about Due Date are more 21st century, but trust me it's the same exact formula right down the line.
But that's OK. This formula works. Downey is the straight man, with a pressing reason to get back home to Los Angeles for his pregnant wife. Galifianakis is the goof ball with acting aspirations trying to get to Hollywood to start his acting career. Along the way they learn to hate each other and also to love each other. They have a series of comical mishaps along the way and overall there are some good laughs here. This is sort of a cross between The Hangover in it's irreverence, and it's fun from Planes, Trains And Automobiles.
There are some very funny scenes and also some where the envelope was pushed too far, and it doesn't work. But for the most part it's fun, and does grow an heart and that gives it a bit more credibility. But you may go and think you've seen this before in it's story. But if that's OK with you, then all will be good.
I have to be honest, my expectations for this were not very high going in. But on the way out, I felt entertained and amused. Downey is always good, and even though Galifianakis is thought by many to be really, really funny, he hits and misses with me. But he over all is funny here.
Due Date. Don't look for this on PBS anytime soon, but this is pretty darn funny, even if it's a total ripoff off a 23 year old classic.
Due Date is without question this generations Planes, Trains And Automobiles. You may remember that very funny John Hughes movie from 1987 with Steve Martin and John Candy. About two totally mis-matched guys thrown together and forced on a cross-country trip. One straight laced and uptight. The other goofy, strange, quirky and a bit off. Due Date is the exact same movie. OK, the story is slightly different, and many things about Due Date are more 21st century, but trust me it's the same exact formula right down the line.
But that's OK. This formula works. Downey is the straight man, with a pressing reason to get back home to Los Angeles for his pregnant wife. Galifianakis is the goof ball with acting aspirations trying to get to Hollywood to start his acting career. Along the way they learn to hate each other and also to love each other. They have a series of comical mishaps along the way and overall there are some good laughs here. This is sort of a cross between The Hangover in it's irreverence, and it's fun from Planes, Trains And Automobiles.
There are some very funny scenes and also some where the envelope was pushed too far, and it doesn't work. But for the most part it's fun, and does grow an heart and that gives it a bit more credibility. But you may go and think you've seen this before in it's story. But if that's OK with you, then all will be good.
I have to be honest, my expectations for this were not very high going in. But on the way out, I felt entertained and amused. Downey is always good, and even though Galifianakis is thought by many to be really, really funny, he hits and misses with me. But he over all is funny here.
Due Date. Don't look for this on PBS anytime soon, but this is pretty darn funny, even if it's a total ripoff off a 23 year old classic.
MOVIE REVIEW - Conviction
Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank is back again and this time it's the true story drama Conviction.
Conviction is the remarkable story of a Massachusetts woman and her brother that takes place over a 30 year period. Kenny (Sam Rockwell) and Betty Anne (Swank) are brother and sister that grow up in horrible conditions in rural New England. After a childhood of mischief, Kenny finds himself as an adult convicted of murder in 1982. Betty Anne, with no formal education of any kind is convinced of her brothers innocence.
Betty Anne then sends herself back to school to get her GED, then her college degree, and finally puts herself through law school and becomes a lawyer. In fact, she becomes Kenny's lawyer and sets out to set him free. Kenny in jail, spends 13 years waiting for his sister to finish up school and start on this remarkably feat. This is a very compelling story. Hollywood can't write them this good. Will she be able to free Kenny? And is he really innocent? That's Conviction.
Swank is Hollywood's best leading young woman right now. A two-time Oscar winner, she generally picks per roles carefully, and that's great. Million Dollar Baby (Oscar), Freedom Writers, and most recently Amelia. She generally picks roles of substance about real or real life characters. She has the innate ability to be very attractive and no so attractive at the same time. She is totally believable here and really gives Betty Anne a face, a voice and a grit that can be challenging for many. Swank becomes the character in total and she does it here. Her performance here is stellar, This is this years Blind Side.
Rockwell too is terrific, and a leads a great supporting cast of Minnie Driver, Juliette Lewis, and Peter Gallagher. A great story, with a nice cast. Conviction does have a few slow moments at times, but over all this really works. Sad too, this movie is going to get completely lost in the Halloween, and animated field out there right now at the box office. But I can not stress enough this is a great adult night at the movies that shouldn't be missed.
Conviction. Again, Swank is great, Rockwell is great, and the story is great. What's not to like. Well, well done!
Conviction is the remarkable story of a Massachusetts woman and her brother that takes place over a 30 year period. Kenny (Sam Rockwell) and Betty Anne (Swank) are brother and sister that grow up in horrible conditions in rural New England. After a childhood of mischief, Kenny finds himself as an adult convicted of murder in 1982. Betty Anne, with no formal education of any kind is convinced of her brothers innocence.
Betty Anne then sends herself back to school to get her GED, then her college degree, and finally puts herself through law school and becomes a lawyer. In fact, she becomes Kenny's lawyer and sets out to set him free. Kenny in jail, spends 13 years waiting for his sister to finish up school and start on this remarkably feat. This is a very compelling story. Hollywood can't write them this good. Will she be able to free Kenny? And is he really innocent? That's Conviction.
Swank is Hollywood's best leading young woman right now. A two-time Oscar winner, she generally picks per roles carefully, and that's great. Million Dollar Baby (Oscar), Freedom Writers, and most recently Amelia. She generally picks roles of substance about real or real life characters. She has the innate ability to be very attractive and no so attractive at the same time. She is totally believable here and really gives Betty Anne a face, a voice and a grit that can be challenging for many. Swank becomes the character in total and she does it here. Her performance here is stellar, This is this years Blind Side.
Rockwell too is terrific, and a leads a great supporting cast of Minnie Driver, Juliette Lewis, and Peter Gallagher. A great story, with a nice cast. Conviction does have a few slow moments at times, but over all this really works. Sad too, this movie is going to get completely lost in the Halloween, and animated field out there right now at the box office. But I can not stress enough this is a great adult night at the movies that shouldn't be missed.
Conviction. Again, Swank is great, Rockwell is great, and the story is great. What's not to like. Well, well done!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
When Good Needs To Be Done
There are times when you see something and at that particular moment, you know you're seeing something special. And when you try to tell others of what you've seen, you realize that although your words may be flattering and be filled with unbridled enthusiasm, they will come up short and the listener must see it for themselves.
I'm afraid that may happen here but I'll give it a go. Today I was lucky enough to get the tour of the new One Of A Kind Pets facility in West Akron. It's right there on West Market Street, 1900 block where the old bowling alley used to be. Long gone are the pins and lanes, and a new era has been ushered in on a piece of property that needed attention. Before I go on and on, I know there are many people and organizations in need as well. But for just this moment, let's let the animals have the light.
In case you don't know, One Of A Kind Pets is a non-profit, no-kill rescue and shelter for dogs and cats in need. This is their new home, and my on air partner on WQMX, Sue Wilson and I will be doing an appearance there Saturday afternoon. We both love, and have rescued our own dogs, so the mission is close to our hearts. But even with that said, this is something worth seeing. This new home is so nice, so inventive, so forward thinking, and such a breath of fresh air it really has to be seen to be truly appreciated, and we are inviting you do do so.
Never have I seen such a serene environment for animals in need. It redefined my view of any other shelter or pound I have ever toured or seen before. If adoption is in your plans, you can meet you new friend in a clean, relaxed setting that shows the animal in his or her truest light. After I visited with a few of the pooches there, I found that my experience was calming both for me, and the dog. Amazing for a home for wayward dogs and cats.....but true.
But more importantly there's this. There are times when you know you are in the presence of good. It is palpable when you are somewhere and all of those involved are bonded by a single, goodheartedness and a belief that they are tending carefully to their little corner of the world. And when the plan comes together and the tools needed ......match the passion heeded, it is a wonderful confluence of good and good....that needs to be seen. People practicing their passion. That is what's in the heart of an animal lover and volunteer, and these are people worth supporting.
I know times are tough for many, and I haven't lost sight of that. But even if animal adoption is not in your future, or the time to volunteer, or even if monetary donations aren't practical for you right now, that is OK. Support can come as easy as just coming out and seeing the work that can be done, and you going out and spreading the word. They can't buy that, but only hope for it.
And you know for me it was more than the place, the day and the fun. It was the fact that it feels good to know....that it's still people that can do good.....when it's good that needs to be done.
I'm afraid that may happen here but I'll give it a go. Today I was lucky enough to get the tour of the new One Of A Kind Pets facility in West Akron. It's right there on West Market Street, 1900 block where the old bowling alley used to be. Long gone are the pins and lanes, and a new era has been ushered in on a piece of property that needed attention. Before I go on and on, I know there are many people and organizations in need as well. But for just this moment, let's let the animals have the light.
In case you don't know, One Of A Kind Pets is a non-profit, no-kill rescue and shelter for dogs and cats in need. This is their new home, and my on air partner on WQMX, Sue Wilson and I will be doing an appearance there Saturday afternoon. We both love, and have rescued our own dogs, so the mission is close to our hearts. But even with that said, this is something worth seeing. This new home is so nice, so inventive, so forward thinking, and such a breath of fresh air it really has to be seen to be truly appreciated, and we are inviting you do do so.
Never have I seen such a serene environment for animals in need. It redefined my view of any other shelter or pound I have ever toured or seen before. If adoption is in your plans, you can meet you new friend in a clean, relaxed setting that shows the animal in his or her truest light. After I visited with a few of the pooches there, I found that my experience was calming both for me, and the dog. Amazing for a home for wayward dogs and cats.....but true.
But more importantly there's this. There are times when you know you are in the presence of good. It is palpable when you are somewhere and all of those involved are bonded by a single, goodheartedness and a belief that they are tending carefully to their little corner of the world. And when the plan comes together and the tools needed ......match the passion heeded, it is a wonderful confluence of good and good....that needs to be seen. People practicing their passion. That is what's in the heart of an animal lover and volunteer, and these are people worth supporting.
I know times are tough for many, and I haven't lost sight of that. But even if animal adoption is not in your future, or the time to volunteer, or even if monetary donations aren't practical for you right now, that is OK. Support can come as easy as just coming out and seeing the work that can be done, and you going out and spreading the word. They can't buy that, but only hope for it.
And you know for me it was more than the place, the day and the fun. It was the fact that it feels good to know....that it's still people that can do good.....when it's good that needs to be done.
Friday, October 29, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Saw 3-D
I think we have finally made it to the finish line, Saw 3-D is here - thank goodness!
OK, you can more than likely feel the sarcasm in my words, but there is a shred of truth to them. Word is, this will more than likely be the last one. But I will tell you, the door is not completely shut at least in the story line. I would fill you in on the rest of the story line in Saw 3-D, if there was one really.
Saw3-D is extreme torture. Gory, bloody, sadistic scenes. I will give them their due. If it's that you want, there is no shortage of it here. Some of it has to do with the principle characters, and some is just tossed in because there was just not enough in the original script. After seeing, and reviewing all of these movies for ANN, it never really stops surprising me ho much a young audience wants to see all of this over the top carnage. To be honest, you do become a bit desensitised to it all. That is concerning to me, not for me, but for young people. It's just one gross torture scene after another, that gets cheered and at times clapped for. Leave mom at home.
Way back when the original Saw movie was actually a pretty scary, compelling movie with a real plot and story that made sense. For what it was, it was well done and for the most part- smart. Plus it supplied movie goers with one of the best "I didn't see that coming endings" in recent memory. But over time, a decent story has given way to simply gory. And this is no exception. Plus the 3-D is not an enhancement here. It does give it some visual depth of course, but nothing to write home about and certainly doesn't make it a better movie. Just a more expensive one.
Saw 3-D. Let's hope that this really is game over. But after seeing this ending, I'll believe it when I don't see it. This has been drawn out way too long.
OK, you can more than likely feel the sarcasm in my words, but there is a shred of truth to them. Word is, this will more than likely be the last one. But I will tell you, the door is not completely shut at least in the story line. I would fill you in on the rest of the story line in Saw 3-D, if there was one really.
Saw3-D is extreme torture. Gory, bloody, sadistic scenes. I will give them their due. If it's that you want, there is no shortage of it here. Some of it has to do with the principle characters, and some is just tossed in because there was just not enough in the original script. After seeing, and reviewing all of these movies for ANN, it never really stops surprising me ho much a young audience wants to see all of this over the top carnage. To be honest, you do become a bit desensitised to it all. That is concerning to me, not for me, but for young people. It's just one gross torture scene after another, that gets cheered and at times clapped for. Leave mom at home.
Way back when the original Saw movie was actually a pretty scary, compelling movie with a real plot and story that made sense. For what it was, it was well done and for the most part- smart. Plus it supplied movie goers with one of the best "I didn't see that coming endings" in recent memory. But over time, a decent story has given way to simply gory. And this is no exception. Plus the 3-D is not an enhancement here. It does give it some visual depth of course, but nothing to write home about and certainly doesn't make it a better movie. Just a more expensive one.
Saw 3-D. Let's hope that this really is game over. But after seeing this ending, I'll believe it when I don't see it. This has been drawn out way too long.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Paranormal Activity 2
Last year when the first installment of this franchise was put in theaters, it was a huge hit. Plus, it was a great story both on and off the screen. Compelling movie making, and all done for about 15 grand in the movie makers house.
Seems that making another one of these was ill-advised. How could you possibly catch lightning in a bottle twice. Well, this is a real good flick. PA2, is really surprising.
PA2 successfully weaves in a new story, in conjunction with the first movie, and even shows some of the same characters. It's a sequel, prequel in essence. And to be fair, this movie looks better, moves along better and is far more thrilling than the first. Tough job since you already know the formula, and this style of camcorder view movie making won't be new to you here. But it works.
The full theater was jumping and screaming from time to time, as they would like you to do. It is suspenseful and it knows when to wrap itself up. Well done indeed there as well.
As it was last year, this is a movie that will really appeal to the younger set who want to go to the movies in packs and really get a jolt. It's just Halloween fun, and to it's credit no real violence or blood or gore. It's just preys on what would scare you and then...scares you!
Paranormal Activity 2. For what it is, and when it's out...this is really well done. Tough to sequel this one and they did it. Bravo!
Seems that making another one of these was ill-advised. How could you possibly catch lightning in a bottle twice. Well, this is a real good flick. PA2, is really surprising.
PA2 successfully weaves in a new story, in conjunction with the first movie, and even shows some of the same characters. It's a sequel, prequel in essence. And to be fair, this movie looks better, moves along better and is far more thrilling than the first. Tough job since you already know the formula, and this style of camcorder view movie making won't be new to you here. But it works.
The full theater was jumping and screaming from time to time, as they would like you to do. It is suspenseful and it knows when to wrap itself up. Well done indeed there as well.
As it was last year, this is a movie that will really appeal to the younger set who want to go to the movies in packs and really get a jolt. It's just Halloween fun, and to it's credit no real violence or blood or gore. It's just preys on what would scare you and then...scares you!
Paranormal Activity 2. For what it is, and when it's out...this is really well done. Tough to sequel this one and they did it. Bravo!
MOVIE REVIEW - Hereafter
Hereafter is a very interesting movie. It makes it just quite possible that a single movie can be both good and bad at the same time.
Hereafter is the latest Clint Eastwood directed movie that is a very interesting idea, and for the most part a very good story line. Matt Damon stars as George. George is a young man who lives in San Francisco who has been given the ability to be psychic. And he is dead on so. Just s simple touch of hands, can give him a very accurate picture of the other persons past. He views this as a "curse." As it makes it virtually impossible to have relationships with others. The "curse" always gets in the way as it has obvious serious ramifications.
Then Hereafter weaves in two other stories from the other side of the world, of troubled souls who are seemingly in need of George's "curse". One is a little boy who is tragically dealing with the death of his twin brother. Plus, he has a drug infested young single mom that has been sent away to rehab. Then there's a young woman who somehow survives a tidal wave, and comes back from the dead. She cannot shake the feeling of being in the "hereafter." The entire picture puts these three on a collision course. And you are wondering what will happen when they all intersect.
Great idea, and for the most part this is wonderfully told in typical Eastwood fashion. This movie looks great, with a wonderful understated music track, and really nice performances. Damon is great, as are most of our supporting cast members. But to be honest there is something missing here. Something glaring missing. And it gets in the way. It just doesn't pay off like it should. I can't even say it has a bad ending, there's just something missing. As I though about it for while I think this I found the main trouble.
The way this movie plays out, it has the feel of a small, little 85 minute movie with a small budget, and stars you don't know. Like a small Indy pic. Charming even. But Hereafter is none of those things. It's a big budget flick, with a big star that times out over two hours, and many will walk out feeling like there was no real payout. Oh, the moral of the story is nice and all, but in the end, Hereafter is a bit hollow. Although it's darn good movie making along the way. A real contradiction.
Hereafter. For many this will be a bit disappointing. But it sure looks good being so.
Hereafter is the latest Clint Eastwood directed movie that is a very interesting idea, and for the most part a very good story line. Matt Damon stars as George. George is a young man who lives in San Francisco who has been given the ability to be psychic. And he is dead on so. Just s simple touch of hands, can give him a very accurate picture of the other persons past. He views this as a "curse." As it makes it virtually impossible to have relationships with others. The "curse" always gets in the way as it has obvious serious ramifications.
Then Hereafter weaves in two other stories from the other side of the world, of troubled souls who are seemingly in need of George's "curse". One is a little boy who is tragically dealing with the death of his twin brother. Plus, he has a drug infested young single mom that has been sent away to rehab. Then there's a young woman who somehow survives a tidal wave, and comes back from the dead. She cannot shake the feeling of being in the "hereafter." The entire picture puts these three on a collision course. And you are wondering what will happen when they all intersect.
Great idea, and for the most part this is wonderfully told in typical Eastwood fashion. This movie looks great, with a wonderful understated music track, and really nice performances. Damon is great, as are most of our supporting cast members. But to be honest there is something missing here. Something glaring missing. And it gets in the way. It just doesn't pay off like it should. I can't even say it has a bad ending, there's just something missing. As I though about it for while I think this I found the main trouble.
The way this movie plays out, it has the feel of a small, little 85 minute movie with a small budget, and stars you don't know. Like a small Indy pic. Charming even. But Hereafter is none of those things. It's a big budget flick, with a big star that times out over two hours, and many will walk out feeling like there was no real payout. Oh, the moral of the story is nice and all, but in the end, Hereafter is a bit hollow. Although it's darn good movie making along the way. A real contradiction.
Hereafter. For many this will be a bit disappointing. But it sure looks good being so.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Jackass 3-D
You know...we live in a free country and that's a good thing.
You can make movies pretty much about anything you want to. And for the most part that is a good thing. There are exceptions of course. And truth be told, if there's no market for a certain type of movie, they don't make them. Then there's Jackass 3-D.
Here comes Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and the rest of the Jackass Idiots in yet another graphic, gross, cable TV show come to the big screen. First, I'll give you the highlights. There is a very funny part that involves a jet engine and how it can propel objects at breakneck speeds as the idiots get pelted and blown away from the thrust. Laughed out loud! Some of the costumes these clowns wear while performing these ridiculous "stunts" are pretty funny at times too. There's some funny musical choices as well.
But, my gosh! Much of this movie so gross you may not be able to watch at times depending on your tolerance. Words cannot really express or describe some of the things you'll see if you go. There are some guilty pleasure moments where you have to laugh, but for 99 percent of this thing...it's just a gross fest.
But you have to give credit where it's due. This band of morons didn't want to get a real job for a living, so they invented one. And are being paid out the wazoo (bad word choice I know) but accurate here. To the tune of 54 million opening weekend. The show and now movies, have paid these guys beyond their wildest dreams for performing the crude, and sometimes downright offensive stunts. They do find an audience. And more than likely influence a new generation of young thrill seekers, who will mimic their escapades.
But here's some good advice, take mom to see Secretariat, or go out to dinner, and steer clear of this. Rated R and for every reason on earth. Good thing there are young adult males to go, or the theater would be empty.
Jackass 3-D. By the way, the 3-D is not at all necessary, and really doesn't work. Matches the rest of the movie.
You can make movies pretty much about anything you want to. And for the most part that is a good thing. There are exceptions of course. And truth be told, if there's no market for a certain type of movie, they don't make them. Then there's Jackass 3-D.
Here comes Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O and the rest of the Jackass Idiots in yet another graphic, gross, cable TV show come to the big screen. First, I'll give you the highlights. There is a very funny part that involves a jet engine and how it can propel objects at breakneck speeds as the idiots get pelted and blown away from the thrust. Laughed out loud! Some of the costumes these clowns wear while performing these ridiculous "stunts" are pretty funny at times too. There's some funny musical choices as well.
But, my gosh! Much of this movie so gross you may not be able to watch at times depending on your tolerance. Words cannot really express or describe some of the things you'll see if you go. There are some guilty pleasure moments where you have to laugh, but for 99 percent of this thing...it's just a gross fest.
But you have to give credit where it's due. This band of morons didn't want to get a real job for a living, so they invented one. And are being paid out the wazoo (bad word choice I know) but accurate here. To the tune of 54 million opening weekend. The show and now movies, have paid these guys beyond their wildest dreams for performing the crude, and sometimes downright offensive stunts. They do find an audience. And more than likely influence a new generation of young thrill seekers, who will mimic their escapades.
But here's some good advice, take mom to see Secretariat, or go out to dinner, and steer clear of this. Rated R and for every reason on earth. Good thing there are young adult males to go, or the theater would be empty.
Jackass 3-D. By the way, the 3-D is not at all necessary, and really doesn't work. Matches the rest of the movie.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Life As We Know It
Here comes another attempt at a good romantic comedy. The lovely Katherine Heigl stars with Josh Duhamel in Life As We Know It.
It seems no one is really in any mood for romantic comedies this year. Virtually all of them have been flops. And you may struggle to stick with this one. It just tries so hard to be relevant, and up to date that is becomes hard to watch.
It's an interesting story idea. Holly (Heigl) and Messer (Duhamel) don't like each other after an ill fated blind date three years ago. Flash forward, the people that set them up, are each others best friends. They have a baby, Sophie. The parents die unexpectedly, and leave custody of one year old Sophie to Holly and Messer. Can they put aside their differences live together and raise this baby? Will they fall in love? That's Life As We Know It.
What starts out as a new idea, gets old quick as it falls back into the predictable trap. Good gracioius, can not one Hollywood writer think of a NEW idea for a romantic comedy? I mean new all the way through. Old, tired lines, scenes, techniques, and in the end the same plot. After about 30 minutes this movie gets worse by the frame. Too many non funny side characters, jokes and stunts that are too easy, and a plot line that gets more ridiculous as it goes on. There are some moments that are very funny, especially to young parents as Holly and Messer learn on the job. But it can't be saved.
Heigl is so charming on screen usually, but bad scripts for her the past year are dragging her down the drain. I wish she and her sisiter would quit be a Producer on these flicks, and go back to working with really good people and be "Kathering Heigl" again. She is a funny, beautiful, engaging star on screen, but this is just too bad here. In years ahead she may look back and wonder what the allure of this project was. Duhamel, is just a guy......he's highly adequate here. Handsome no doubt, funny? No. Connected to his audience? No. Baby Sophie sure is cute, and gives us a few awww moments.
But Life As We Know It, is simply not good. I noticed after about 20 minutes the laughing stopped for the most part and we struggled to its merciful end. It just tries too hard to be topical, and up to the minute......it becomes something else - nothing.
Life As We Know It. Idea interesting. The rest? Not!
It seems no one is really in any mood for romantic comedies this year. Virtually all of them have been flops. And you may struggle to stick with this one. It just tries so hard to be relevant, and up to date that is becomes hard to watch.
It's an interesting story idea. Holly (Heigl) and Messer (Duhamel) don't like each other after an ill fated blind date three years ago. Flash forward, the people that set them up, are each others best friends. They have a baby, Sophie. The parents die unexpectedly, and leave custody of one year old Sophie to Holly and Messer. Can they put aside their differences live together and raise this baby? Will they fall in love? That's Life As We Know It.
What starts out as a new idea, gets old quick as it falls back into the predictable trap. Good gracioius, can not one Hollywood writer think of a NEW idea for a romantic comedy? I mean new all the way through. Old, tired lines, scenes, techniques, and in the end the same plot. After about 30 minutes this movie gets worse by the frame. Too many non funny side characters, jokes and stunts that are too easy, and a plot line that gets more ridiculous as it goes on. There are some moments that are very funny, especially to young parents as Holly and Messer learn on the job. But it can't be saved.
Heigl is so charming on screen usually, but bad scripts for her the past year are dragging her down the drain. I wish she and her sisiter would quit be a Producer on these flicks, and go back to working with really good people and be "Kathering Heigl" again. She is a funny, beautiful, engaging star on screen, but this is just too bad here. In years ahead she may look back and wonder what the allure of this project was. Duhamel, is just a guy......he's highly adequate here. Handsome no doubt, funny? No. Connected to his audience? No. Baby Sophie sure is cute, and gives us a few awww moments.
But Life As We Know It, is simply not good. I noticed after about 20 minutes the laughing stopped for the most part and we struggled to its merciful end. It just tries too hard to be topical, and up to the minute......it becomes something else - nothing.
Life As We Know It. Idea interesting. The rest? Not!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
The Teachings Of The Sunrise
I woke up this morning at 543, wide awake and knew that the nights sleep was over. So I walked outside and decided that it was too nice to stay inside. It's a rare Sunday morning. My golf buddies were all out of town or unavailable.
So I loaded up and headed out to a course I play often, no tee time. They said no problem. I teed off before first light....I could see....but not well. For the first 30 minutes or so, I was waiting on the sun. After a few holes, the sun without warning made an appearance on the seventh green. Absolutely stunning. Somewhere between burnt orange and soft red, and as round as anything I had ever seen. It was rising over the fall colored trees, gently parting the branches, casting soft shadows along the sparkling grass, as it nudged away the clouds of dawn. I was alone on the suddenly sun soaked green. I grabbed my phone, and took its picture. It was a moment. Spiritual. I don't think if my buddies were there I would not have had the same reaction. We would have said, "Yeah that's cool" and moved on to the next tee. But with just me and the sun, I was going to take it in.
You learn a lot of things about yourself playing 18 holes of golf alone. I think you may learn what others already know about you, that maybe you don't know they do. Many times others do see us in ways we do not always see ourselves. Golf is a game that requires the most of those who choose to play it.....especially alone. It's a game of honesty, integrity, that requires patience and good citizenship on each and every hole. And you can learn if you're good company or not. It's a time, at least for me to think things all out. In detail, clearly and without noise or interruption. To reflect on the recent past, and prepare for the week ahead. It's just me, the green of the grass, the blue on the water, the steam off the water, and the yellow of the overhead sun.
Today was so perfect at sunrise, I wasn't going to do one thing to mess it up. There's those rare times you're doing just what you want to be, with just the right - everything. Right temperature, right clothes, right place - right time - right company. I was going to play to the best of my abilities, and enjoy every second of this wondrous ride through the carved and manicured landscape. This morning I figured if I fully embraced the moment I had been given, and took it all in as I think I was being asked to, the rest..... including the quality of play would take care of itself. And it did.
My golf partners and I have often joked about our Sunday morning ritual. Something like, "Yeah we attend the Our Lady Of The First Tee -sunrise services..every Sunday..." And it gets a snicker or a laugh or two. But putting golf aside, I think this morning I may have attended a sunrise service. Today was not the normal ritual.....it was the spi - ritual. And I learned that there's much to be learned by a simple sunrise on a simple Sunday. Taking a moment, and not taking it for granted. Realizing too, that great joy in solitude can be achieved as you may be a bit more open and perceptive in the company of - yourself.
And experiencing and epiphany so early in a day......there are moments in all our days.....every day.... that a sunrise in our sky, can set in motion a sunrise in our soul.
So I loaded up and headed out to a course I play often, no tee time. They said no problem. I teed off before first light....I could see....but not well. For the first 30 minutes or so, I was waiting on the sun. After a few holes, the sun without warning made an appearance on the seventh green. Absolutely stunning. Somewhere between burnt orange and soft red, and as round as anything I had ever seen. It was rising over the fall colored trees, gently parting the branches, casting soft shadows along the sparkling grass, as it nudged away the clouds of dawn. I was alone on the suddenly sun soaked green. I grabbed my phone, and took its picture. It was a moment. Spiritual. I don't think if my buddies were there I would not have had the same reaction. We would have said, "Yeah that's cool" and moved on to the next tee. But with just me and the sun, I was going to take it in.
You learn a lot of things about yourself playing 18 holes of golf alone. I think you may learn what others already know about you, that maybe you don't know they do. Many times others do see us in ways we do not always see ourselves. Golf is a game that requires the most of those who choose to play it.....especially alone. It's a game of honesty, integrity, that requires patience and good citizenship on each and every hole. And you can learn if you're good company or not. It's a time, at least for me to think things all out. In detail, clearly and without noise or interruption. To reflect on the recent past, and prepare for the week ahead. It's just me, the green of the grass, the blue on the water, the steam off the water, and the yellow of the overhead sun.
Today was so perfect at sunrise, I wasn't going to do one thing to mess it up. There's those rare times you're doing just what you want to be, with just the right - everything. Right temperature, right clothes, right place - right time - right company. I was going to play to the best of my abilities, and enjoy every second of this wondrous ride through the carved and manicured landscape. This morning I figured if I fully embraced the moment I had been given, and took it all in as I think I was being asked to, the rest..... including the quality of play would take care of itself. And it did.
My golf partners and I have often joked about our Sunday morning ritual. Something like, "Yeah we attend the Our Lady Of The First Tee -sunrise services..every Sunday..." And it gets a snicker or a laugh or two. But putting golf aside, I think this morning I may have attended a sunrise service. Today was not the normal ritual.....it was the spi - ritual. And I learned that there's much to be learned by a simple sunrise on a simple Sunday. Taking a moment, and not taking it for granted. Realizing too, that great joy in solitude can be achieved as you may be a bit more open and perceptive in the company of - yourself.
And experiencing and epiphany so early in a day......there are moments in all our days.....every day.... that a sunrise in our sky, can set in motion a sunrise in our soul.
Friday, October 8, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Secretariat
Disney is back at is again. Making another feel good sports movie, at least to a degree. This time it's Secretariat.
This movie has much the same feel and appeal as The Rookie, Miracle and some other long shot sports movies, that have all been good. And so is this one. We need movies like this, and the time is right to tell this story.
This is a story worth telling, to both those of us who were lucky enough to live through the Secretariat era, and for those too young, or not yet born. Secretariat, the horse, is quite simply the greatest race horse in the history of the sport. His story of becoming what he was, is also an interesting one. His owner Penny Tweedy became a celebrity in 1973 as well as her giant horse. This movie is well done, well cast, and put together so even if you know nothing of Secretariat or the era, you are not lost. There are a few draggy moments, and a few awkward shots, some questionable dialogue at times, and a liberty or two taken on the dramatics between characters. But that's Disney and we look the other way.
The best aspect of Secretariat is the fact that is accurately depicts the wonderful rivalry that existed in 1973 between Secretariat and the champion horse Sham. Sham in any other year would more than likely been a triple crown winner himself, but in 1973, he watched Secretariat win all three Triple Crown races. I was afraid that they would glaze over that and water down things with side plots and other drivel. But they don't That rivalry is worth seeing and leaning about. Well done.
Secretariat is a good example of a good movie starting with a good story. And this is a good story. Because Secretariat was more than a horse in 1973. He was a phenomenon. He is without any question the greatest race horse that has ever, and will never live and run. And lucky for us, he came from humble beginnings and almost because of circumstances never became part of our popular culture and a runaway champion. I remember in 1999, ESPN did a series of the 100 greatest athletes of the 20th century. Secretariat was number 33. I'm not so sure there were 32 better athletes in the 20th century.
Secretariat......Take a date or the whole family. Well done.....a story worth reliving, or learning about for the first time.
This movie has much the same feel and appeal as The Rookie, Miracle and some other long shot sports movies, that have all been good. And so is this one. We need movies like this, and the time is right to tell this story.
This is a story worth telling, to both those of us who were lucky enough to live through the Secretariat era, and for those too young, or not yet born. Secretariat, the horse, is quite simply the greatest race horse in the history of the sport. His story of becoming what he was, is also an interesting one. His owner Penny Tweedy became a celebrity in 1973 as well as her giant horse. This movie is well done, well cast, and put together so even if you know nothing of Secretariat or the era, you are not lost. There are a few draggy moments, and a few awkward shots, some questionable dialogue at times, and a liberty or two taken on the dramatics between characters. But that's Disney and we look the other way.
The best aspect of Secretariat is the fact that is accurately depicts the wonderful rivalry that existed in 1973 between Secretariat and the champion horse Sham. Sham in any other year would more than likely been a triple crown winner himself, but in 1973, he watched Secretariat win all three Triple Crown races. I was afraid that they would glaze over that and water down things with side plots and other drivel. But they don't That rivalry is worth seeing and leaning about. Well done.
Secretariat is a good example of a good movie starting with a good story. And this is a good story. Because Secretariat was more than a horse in 1973. He was a phenomenon. He is without any question the greatest race horse that has ever, and will never live and run. And lucky for us, he came from humble beginnings and almost because of circumstances never became part of our popular culture and a runaway champion. I remember in 1999, ESPN did a series of the 100 greatest athletes of the 20th century. Secretariat was number 33. I'm not so sure there were 32 better athletes in the 20th century.
Secretariat......Take a date or the whole family. Well done.....a story worth reliving, or learning about for the first time.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Case 39
Here they come! The Halloween movies in October that are supposed to scare us. Every year it's the same thing.
Case 39 - Finally at the box office. This movie was filmed a few years ago, and it's finally showing at the corner theater. Better hurry..may not be long. Case 39 stars Renee Zellweger...(remember her?) and Bradley Cooper. But this movie was filmed long before he was a star and his part is very small. Just being honest.
Case 39 is the story of Emily (Zellweger). She is a very nice, young woman who works with troubled families as a social worker. She is overworked, and has way too many cases. She inherits a case that is very strange. A weird couple is trying to kill their 10 year old daughter, Lilly. After Lilly is safely rescued away by Emily, and the parents go to jail the real weirdness begins. People start dropping dead all over the place. And all indications point back to 10 year old Lilly. Who is she? What is she? and Why is she the way she is? That's Case 39.
Holy cow is this awful. Case 39 has been delayed a few times in its release, and a while longer would have been better. Predictable, not scary, not thrilling, not anything that you can call good. And hard for some to watch I'm sure. Especially the scenes early in the flick, long before you suspect anything from Lilly, when her parents are jamming her with duct tape over her mouth into a gas oven in the kitchen, then put the burners on. Lovely. You have to be able to watch a 10 year old girl get tossed around a few times in this junk pile, so if that deeply troubles you, don't go.
As a matter of fact, don't go anyways. Story is weak and obvious, and very shallow. So many untied ends as well. Haven't we been down this " demonized little kid" road enough times. Plus, this movie look very dated, as Zellweger is really out of the limelight now, and Cooper looks like he's in high school. This movie should have gone right to DVD. Even that is too good for it.
Case 39. Really, really bad.
Case 39 - Finally at the box office. This movie was filmed a few years ago, and it's finally showing at the corner theater. Better hurry..may not be long. Case 39 stars Renee Zellweger...(remember her?) and Bradley Cooper. But this movie was filmed long before he was a star and his part is very small. Just being honest.
Case 39 is the story of Emily (Zellweger). She is a very nice, young woman who works with troubled families as a social worker. She is overworked, and has way too many cases. She inherits a case that is very strange. A weird couple is trying to kill their 10 year old daughter, Lilly. After Lilly is safely rescued away by Emily, and the parents go to jail the real weirdness begins. People start dropping dead all over the place. And all indications point back to 10 year old Lilly. Who is she? What is she? and Why is she the way she is? That's Case 39.
Holy cow is this awful. Case 39 has been delayed a few times in its release, and a while longer would have been better. Predictable, not scary, not thrilling, not anything that you can call good. And hard for some to watch I'm sure. Especially the scenes early in the flick, long before you suspect anything from Lilly, when her parents are jamming her with duct tape over her mouth into a gas oven in the kitchen, then put the burners on. Lovely. You have to be able to watch a 10 year old girl get tossed around a few times in this junk pile, so if that deeply troubles you, don't go.
As a matter of fact, don't go anyways. Story is weak and obvious, and very shallow. So many untied ends as well. Haven't we been down this " demonized little kid" road enough times. Plus, this movie look very dated, as Zellweger is really out of the limelight now, and Cooper looks like he's in high school. This movie should have gone right to DVD. Even that is too good for it.
Case 39. Really, really bad.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - The Social Network
With all the huge media hype, and the sheer popularity of Facebook, it would be tough for The Social Network not to be a big hit at the box office.
TSN is the story based on the story of Mark Zuckerburg and the other young geniuses attending Harvard in 2003, that in one way or another invented Facebook. Jessie Eisenberg stars as Zuckerburg, the now 26 year old billionaire who in the end, ended up with the credit of inventing Facebook. But it wasn't easy.
This story of explores the idea of who really spawned the idea of the wildly popular website. Did Zuckerberg invent it? Did he rip off the idea? Did he intentionally try to steal the idea for his own gain? This movie deals with the legal aspect of the story, and tell it in flashback form as is weaves in and out of the legal deposition, that eventually ends up costing Zuckerburg millions of dollars by numerous plaintiffs who are suing him.
Eisenburg is terrific as the enigmatic Zuckerburg. TSN portrays Zuckerburg as an absolute computer genius. That I don't think can be in dispute. They also paint him as a socially awkward, backstabbing, self involved, selfish, egotistical opportunist, who goes to no end to essentially weasel his way out of any responsibility of any wrongdoing towards others. TSN also puts the spotlight squarely on the young generation. All of it very enlightening. Some of the young phenoms are without question capable of doing amazing things. That is a good and bad thing at the some time. Some of the amazing, is not for the good.
TSN also pulls no punches, showing Harvard students as drunken, drug crazy, endless party-ers that seem anything but interested in their education. I can't imagine Harvard is very thrilled about this movie.
As a movie, is moves along very nicely and holds enough interest to be solid. I've heard a lot of hype on this being one of the years best, and I think that's a bit enthusiastic. It's solid and well done, but I think we have to wait till the heavy weight movies come out this fall, to see how it really stacks up. I think what's happening here, is that Facebook is such a prat of so many lives, now some may be getting carried away with the whole thing.
The Social Network. Sold indeed. Well done and well told. But let's get a hold of ourselves here. This is just a good movie. That's it.
TSN is the story based on the story of Mark Zuckerburg and the other young geniuses attending Harvard in 2003, that in one way or another invented Facebook. Jessie Eisenberg stars as Zuckerburg, the now 26 year old billionaire who in the end, ended up with the credit of inventing Facebook. But it wasn't easy.
This story of explores the idea of who really spawned the idea of the wildly popular website. Did Zuckerberg invent it? Did he rip off the idea? Did he intentionally try to steal the idea for his own gain? This movie deals with the legal aspect of the story, and tell it in flashback form as is weaves in and out of the legal deposition, that eventually ends up costing Zuckerburg millions of dollars by numerous plaintiffs who are suing him.
Eisenburg is terrific as the enigmatic Zuckerburg. TSN portrays Zuckerburg as an absolute computer genius. That I don't think can be in dispute. They also paint him as a socially awkward, backstabbing, self involved, selfish, egotistical opportunist, who goes to no end to essentially weasel his way out of any responsibility of any wrongdoing towards others. TSN also puts the spotlight squarely on the young generation. All of it very enlightening. Some of the young phenoms are without question capable of doing amazing things. That is a good and bad thing at the some time. Some of the amazing, is not for the good.
TSN also pulls no punches, showing Harvard students as drunken, drug crazy, endless party-ers that seem anything but interested in their education. I can't imagine Harvard is very thrilled about this movie.
As a movie, is moves along very nicely and holds enough interest to be solid. I've heard a lot of hype on this being one of the years best, and I think that's a bit enthusiastic. It's solid and well done, but I think we have to wait till the heavy weight movies come out this fall, to see how it really stacks up. I think what's happening here, is that Facebook is such a prat of so many lives, now some may be getting carried away with the whole thing.
The Social Network. Sold indeed. Well done and well told. But let's get a hold of ourselves here. This is just a good movie. That's it.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
A Sleeping Dog
I love dogs. I have an Australian Cattle Dog named Kona and she deserves this blog. She's getting old and not as spry as she once was. But she's healthy, and as it turns out she is pretty darn good company. There's probably a Kona in your life.
Because of the strange schedule I keep doing the WQMX Morning show with my partner Sue Wilson, I am off work when most people in my life are still at work. This has been my schedule for almost 30 years now. There's things about it I really like. No rush hour, either way. I can shop and run errands when no one else does during the day. And of course, I can have the course to myself on days when I want to play some midweek golf. All nice perks.
But I have to admit, there are days and times that it's just me. Lots of times. And it can get lonely once in a while. And those are the days I'm glad that Kona is around to keep me company. We rescued Kona about 9 years ago from a local animal shelter. Someone had chained her up to a backstop in the Metro Parks and left her there. The Rangers found her at 3am one night, and turned her in. A few days later we adopted her. That has turned out to be a good move.
Kona has been a great dog, Sometimes you almost forget she's around she's so quiet and gentle. She loves to sleep. She's sleeping right now, under the desk that I am typing this article on. When I come home during the day, she's thrilled I'm here. After a nice greeting, we go outside, play a bit, and then go on with our day. I come in and sit at my desk in my home office and pay bills, or make calls, do show prep or write something. That's my job. And Kona sleeps at my feet..that's her job. And she's good at it. Kona wakes up from a good sleep so she can take another nap!
Occasionally she sticks her snout up on my lap to remind me she's there and asks for a head pat. She gets it. If I get a snack, she gets one too. A drink on the porch? She gets one too. When I have a cigar - well no. What Kona seemingly does best, is just spend time with me, and keep me company. Probably all she wants after the whole backstop ordeal. I have always believed dogs get that whole second chance thing better than we do. Sometimes we could all use a good refresher course in that.
She's just good medicine. Of course there is the occasional garbage can dump, and the jumping up on the couch and sleeping there during the day. Both expressly verboten at the house, but it's a small price to pay for all the good things she is and does. She's a good pooch, and friend.
The first thing you know the day you get a dog is, you'll be around longer than they will. They don't know that, and they still treasure every day anyway. Most of us don't learn that till much later in life.
Truth be told, I don't even know how old Kona really is. But I know this. She is getting closer now to the end than the beginning. I have learned to look the other way, and give her a break more often now for the minor transgressions she occasionally commits. To be more giving and forgiving.
Who would think so much could be taught, from a sleeping dog.
Because of the strange schedule I keep doing the WQMX Morning show with my partner Sue Wilson, I am off work when most people in my life are still at work. This has been my schedule for almost 30 years now. There's things about it I really like. No rush hour, either way. I can shop and run errands when no one else does during the day. And of course, I can have the course to myself on days when I want to play some midweek golf. All nice perks.
But I have to admit, there are days and times that it's just me. Lots of times. And it can get lonely once in a while. And those are the days I'm glad that Kona is around to keep me company. We rescued Kona about 9 years ago from a local animal shelter. Someone had chained her up to a backstop in the Metro Parks and left her there. The Rangers found her at 3am one night, and turned her in. A few days later we adopted her. That has turned out to be a good move.
Kona has been a great dog, Sometimes you almost forget she's around she's so quiet and gentle. She loves to sleep. She's sleeping right now, under the desk that I am typing this article on. When I come home during the day, she's thrilled I'm here. After a nice greeting, we go outside, play a bit, and then go on with our day. I come in and sit at my desk in my home office and pay bills, or make calls, do show prep or write something. That's my job. And Kona sleeps at my feet..that's her job. And she's good at it. Kona wakes up from a good sleep so she can take another nap!
Occasionally she sticks her snout up on my lap to remind me she's there and asks for a head pat. She gets it. If I get a snack, she gets one too. A drink on the porch? She gets one too. When I have a cigar - well no. What Kona seemingly does best, is just spend time with me, and keep me company. Probably all she wants after the whole backstop ordeal. I have always believed dogs get that whole second chance thing better than we do. Sometimes we could all use a good refresher course in that.
She's just good medicine. Of course there is the occasional garbage can dump, and the jumping up on the couch and sleeping there during the day. Both expressly verboten at the house, but it's a small price to pay for all the good things she is and does. She's a good pooch, and friend.
The first thing you know the day you get a dog is, you'll be around longer than they will. They don't know that, and they still treasure every day anyway. Most of us don't learn that till much later in life.
Truth be told, I don't even know how old Kona really is. But I know this. She is getting closer now to the end than the beginning. I have learned to look the other way, and give her a break more often now for the minor transgressions she occasionally commits. To be more giving and forgiving.
Who would think so much could be taught, from a sleeping dog.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Wall Street Money Never Sleeps
It's been a long time since we've checked in with Director Oliver Stone's Wall Street characters like Gordon Gekko. But here we go, in Wall Street, Money Never Sleeps.
Michael Douglas reprises his fantastic role as the bad boy money man, Gordon Gekko from years ago. Gekko is now out of jail, and attempting to get back in the big money game. This time possibly using his 24 year old daughter and her fiance' in the process. Should be noted up front, Douglas is great in this movie.
As with most Stone directed movies, his version of things that have historical significance are told through his eyes. The way he sees it. He's been ruffling feathers in Hollywood for a few decades now, and he doesn't run from the fact he is controversial. He's good with it, and so is his movie going public. He generally gets an event, or person in the cross hairs and calls it they way he seer's it.
This movie does a few things very well. Stone really humanizes Gekko, and that is the movies strongest suit. Douglas is superb as he takes his character from shiest, to father, back to shiest, and a few roles in between. Douglas is better in this movie than the first one some 20 years ago. Good supporting cast too, with Josh Brolin, and Shia LaBeouf, and Frank Langella. A very eclectic soundtrack, and some slick Stone film editing give this movie a real nice feel for the most part.
But there is trouble here and there. First, this deals with the complete Wall Street meltdown of 2008. Much of the spoken words will go right over many heads with very technical financial talk and lingo. It would be easy to get lost a few times with its pace in very crucial scenes. Sometimes it's a bit too fast to really digest. In other scenes, this movie can be very draggy. Huge mistake too, there is a point where the Wall Street meltdown is going on, Gekko is lost somewhere and off camera for long periods of time. This movie is flat out better with Douglas in it. Not waiting in the wings. Seems at times, Stone forgot who the bread and butter was.
Wall Street Money Never Sleeps. There were a few parts where I wanted to sleep, but for the most part this is pretty good. Douglas is worth a ticket purchase. Not great... not perfect, but better than I thought it would be.
Michael Douglas reprises his fantastic role as the bad boy money man, Gordon Gekko from years ago. Gekko is now out of jail, and attempting to get back in the big money game. This time possibly using his 24 year old daughter and her fiance' in the process. Should be noted up front, Douglas is great in this movie.
As with most Stone directed movies, his version of things that have historical significance are told through his eyes. The way he sees it. He's been ruffling feathers in Hollywood for a few decades now, and he doesn't run from the fact he is controversial. He's good with it, and so is his movie going public. He generally gets an event, or person in the cross hairs and calls it they way he seer's it.
This movie does a few things very well. Stone really humanizes Gekko, and that is the movies strongest suit. Douglas is superb as he takes his character from shiest, to father, back to shiest, and a few roles in between. Douglas is better in this movie than the first one some 20 years ago. Good supporting cast too, with Josh Brolin, and Shia LaBeouf, and Frank Langella. A very eclectic soundtrack, and some slick Stone film editing give this movie a real nice feel for the most part.
But there is trouble here and there. First, this deals with the complete Wall Street meltdown of 2008. Much of the spoken words will go right over many heads with very technical financial talk and lingo. It would be easy to get lost a few times with its pace in very crucial scenes. Sometimes it's a bit too fast to really digest. In other scenes, this movie can be very draggy. Huge mistake too, there is a point where the Wall Street meltdown is going on, Gekko is lost somewhere and off camera for long periods of time. This movie is flat out better with Douglas in it. Not waiting in the wings. Seems at times, Stone forgot who the bread and butter was.
Wall Street Money Never Sleeps. There were a few parts where I wanted to sleep, but for the most part this is pretty good. Douglas is worth a ticket purchase. Not great... not perfect, but better than I thought it would be.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - You Again
When you go to the movies there are a few goals potentially in play.
You can learn something. You can laugh, or cry, or be scared. There is virtually no end to the possibilities, or the range of emotions you can feel. That's where I would like to congratulate the makers of the new "comedy" You Again. They have successfully made a movie that makes you feel nothing. Except anxious to go home or go ask for refund.
You Again stars Kristen Bell, Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lee Curtis, Betty White and Kristen Chenoweth, and a bunch of other mid level stars, and a few clever quick cameos too. Nice cast you say? All horribly miscast I say. Except Betty White. (Whose part is so tiny, almost not worth it.) This is the story of high school rivalry gone wild. Bell plays Marni, who was tormented by a local bully girl in high school. Years later, that bully girl is going to marry her older brother. Is Marni over it? Can she cope? And oh, yeah as luck would have it, Marni's mom, (Curtis) meets up with HER high school rival who is the bride-to-be aunt (Weaver).
Huge problem first. This movie is NOT FUNNY. Bell is NOT FUNNY. Kristen Bell is certainly lovely and likable enough, but there's problems with her in leading roles. They keep asking her to do physical comedy, and she can't. Her comedic timing is marginal, she's not really embracing, and seems detached from you on screen. You don't cheer for her in these roles. Plus, they keep asking her to play roles where she's 28 or so, (she is 30 acutally) but she looks 17. This is not the first movie this has been a problem all the way around.
The script is NOT FUNNY. The first hour of this is almost walk-outable. But to it's credit, this movie does attempt to grow a heart near the end. And there's a pretty powerful scene where the ramifications of high school bullying are clearly on display. And to be honest, that's rather compelling and well done. Then instead of getting out while the gettin's good, they spend 20 more minutes lamely trying to tie up the loose ends, to it's belabored and agonizing finish. It's a bad script, an old idea, and even understanding I am not the target audience here.....the rest of the crowd at the theater was....and they didn't laugh....a giggle or two now and then.
This movie though will speak to many about the pressures of high school, and the scars and marks the awkward years can leave behind. This will find an audience who will love this movie before they even walk in to it. Also, this movie gives out WAY too much info in its trailers. some of this would have been better left unspoken before you walk in. If you've seen the trailer, you've seen the movie.
You Again. There are some moments here that make you take notice, but in the over all body of work this misses the target badly. One of the worst movies so far this year.
You can learn something. You can laugh, or cry, or be scared. There is virtually no end to the possibilities, or the range of emotions you can feel. That's where I would like to congratulate the makers of the new "comedy" You Again. They have successfully made a movie that makes you feel nothing. Except anxious to go home or go ask for refund.
You Again stars Kristen Bell, Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lee Curtis, Betty White and Kristen Chenoweth, and a bunch of other mid level stars, and a few clever quick cameos too. Nice cast you say? All horribly miscast I say. Except Betty White. (Whose part is so tiny, almost not worth it.) This is the story of high school rivalry gone wild. Bell plays Marni, who was tormented by a local bully girl in high school. Years later, that bully girl is going to marry her older brother. Is Marni over it? Can she cope? And oh, yeah as luck would have it, Marni's mom, (Curtis) meets up with HER high school rival who is the bride-to-be aunt (Weaver).
Huge problem first. This movie is NOT FUNNY. Bell is NOT FUNNY. Kristen Bell is certainly lovely and likable enough, but there's problems with her in leading roles. They keep asking her to do physical comedy, and she can't. Her comedic timing is marginal, she's not really embracing, and seems detached from you on screen. You don't cheer for her in these roles. Plus, they keep asking her to play roles where she's 28 or so, (she is 30 acutally) but she looks 17. This is not the first movie this has been a problem all the way around.
The script is NOT FUNNY. The first hour of this is almost walk-outable. But to it's credit, this movie does attempt to grow a heart near the end. And there's a pretty powerful scene where the ramifications of high school bullying are clearly on display. And to be honest, that's rather compelling and well done. Then instead of getting out while the gettin's good, they spend 20 more minutes lamely trying to tie up the loose ends, to it's belabored and agonizing finish. It's a bad script, an old idea, and even understanding I am not the target audience here.....the rest of the crowd at the theater was....and they didn't laugh....a giggle or two now and then.
This movie though will speak to many about the pressures of high school, and the scars and marks the awkward years can leave behind. This will find an audience who will love this movie before they even walk in to it. Also, this movie gives out WAY too much info in its trailers. some of this would have been better left unspoken before you walk in. If you've seen the trailer, you've seen the movie.
You Again. There are some moments here that make you take notice, but in the over all body of work this misses the target badly. One of the worst movies so far this year.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Easy A
Easy A may look like some silly teen comedy, but nothing could really be further from the truth.
I have no idea what lies ahead for Emma Stone the star of Easy A. The 22 year old has a few movies to her credit. Superbad in 2007 , and Ghosts Of Girlfriend's Past in 2009. But no matter if the best is behind, or in front of her she is really, really funny in Easy A.
Stone plays Olive. Olive is a plain -Jane California high schooler who starts a very interesting side business to try to gain some popularity. She accepts gifts for pretending to have sex with others also looking for social acceptance. No one is having sex with anyone in this movie. It's a strange story to be sure but this is done very skillfully even weaving in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlett Letter as a backdrop. This is a heavily satirical look at modern day, and not so modern day high school life. It does takes a rather sarcastic look at some actually really important issues facing kids today. Bullying, social pressure, social media, and their relationship with parents and teachers. It also shows that as teens, the reputation business can be a tricky one.
Easy A has a huge cast. Stone, Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, Thomas Haden Church and even Lisa Kudrow. It is well written with sharp witted dialogue, and really nice character development. You'll be covered with satire as you leave Easy A. It really takes a nice swipe at some of the strange characters that are the southern California landscape. It is full of laughs, and and almost none of it from physical comedy. It's just really well written. Emma Stone as our lead character and narrator, is just flat out funny. Her Olive character is well written, her style is easy to watch and when asked, does mild physical comedy very well.
Easy A. This is just a funny movie. Although it could be an acquired taste and not every ones cup of tea. But I laughed a bunch, and maybe saw the launching of a really funny new leading young woman. Emma Stone.
I have no idea what lies ahead for Emma Stone the star of Easy A. The 22 year old has a few movies to her credit. Superbad in 2007 , and Ghosts Of Girlfriend's Past in 2009. But no matter if the best is behind, or in front of her she is really, really funny in Easy A.
Stone plays Olive. Olive is a plain -Jane California high schooler who starts a very interesting side business to try to gain some popularity. She accepts gifts for pretending to have sex with others also looking for social acceptance. No one is having sex with anyone in this movie. It's a strange story to be sure but this is done very skillfully even weaving in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlett Letter as a backdrop. This is a heavily satirical look at modern day, and not so modern day high school life. It does takes a rather sarcastic look at some actually really important issues facing kids today. Bullying, social pressure, social media, and their relationship with parents and teachers. It also shows that as teens, the reputation business can be a tricky one.
Easy A has a huge cast. Stone, Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, Thomas Haden Church and even Lisa Kudrow. It is well written with sharp witted dialogue, and really nice character development. You'll be covered with satire as you leave Easy A. It really takes a nice swipe at some of the strange characters that are the southern California landscape. It is full of laughs, and and almost none of it from physical comedy. It's just really well written. Emma Stone as our lead character and narrator, is just flat out funny. Her Olive character is well written, her style is easy to watch and when asked, does mild physical comedy very well.
Easy A. This is just a funny movie. Although it could be an acquired taste and not every ones cup of tea. But I laughed a bunch, and maybe saw the launching of a really funny new leading young woman. Emma Stone.
MOVIE REVIEW - The Town
It seems like a real long time since a real good drama has been at the box office. But The Town with Ben Affleck is certainly worth the wait.
I am not a big Affleck fan at all. I think we all have liked him in a few movies from time to time. Bbut for my money, he has made a bunch of very forgettable to even bad movies of all kinds since his best work in 1997's Good Will Hunting. But The Town is a good example that really good movies begin with really good stories. And that's what we've got here. Affleck takes this story, stars in it and directs it too right down the middle, and not off into the ditch.
The Town is the story of a blue collar area of Boston called Charlestown. More bank robbers have been spawned out of this area than any other place in the United States. In many cases it's a "craft" that is passed down from father to son. Affleck plays Doug. His father is in jail for a life of crime, and he seems to be on the same track.
Doug and his gang rob a big bank in Cambridge, and during the robbery a female assistant manager is asked to open the safe, and she does. They decide to take her as a hostage in their getaway. They release her blindfolded and decide to deal with her later. As the story goes on, Doug who was masked during the robbery, now is taking a romantic interest in her. Suddenly, he is having a change of heart, and wants out of the whole organized bank robbing life. But he finds out that is easier said than done. Bring in the feds who are hot on everyone's tail. And this story gets real good real quick. It's a story you haven't seen before, and that is it's biggest strength.
The Town is brilliantly written, acted and put together. A story that just gets better with every frame. Great character development, a perfect amount of action, a nice soundtrack, and all filmed in a fantastic backdrop of Bostons lesser known areas. Affleck is really strong here, and this only goes to prove, most times that good actors look bad is because of really bad scripts. The Town is not a bad script, but one of the years best so far.
The Town. Exceptionally well done!
I am not a big Affleck fan at all. I think we all have liked him in a few movies from time to time. Bbut for my money, he has made a bunch of very forgettable to even bad movies of all kinds since his best work in 1997's Good Will Hunting. But The Town is a good example that really good movies begin with really good stories. And that's what we've got here. Affleck takes this story, stars in it and directs it too right down the middle, and not off into the ditch.
The Town is the story of a blue collar area of Boston called Charlestown. More bank robbers have been spawned out of this area than any other place in the United States. In many cases it's a "craft" that is passed down from father to son. Affleck plays Doug. His father is in jail for a life of crime, and he seems to be on the same track.
Doug and his gang rob a big bank in Cambridge, and during the robbery a female assistant manager is asked to open the safe, and she does. They decide to take her as a hostage in their getaway. They release her blindfolded and decide to deal with her later. As the story goes on, Doug who was masked during the robbery, now is taking a romantic interest in her. Suddenly, he is having a change of heart, and wants out of the whole organized bank robbing life. But he finds out that is easier said than done. Bring in the feds who are hot on everyone's tail. And this story gets real good real quick. It's a story you haven't seen before, and that is it's biggest strength.
The Town is brilliantly written, acted and put together. A story that just gets better with every frame. Great character development, a perfect amount of action, a nice soundtrack, and all filmed in a fantastic backdrop of Bostons lesser known areas. Affleck is really strong here, and this only goes to prove, most times that good actors look bad is because of really bad scripts. The Town is not a bad script, but one of the years best so far.
The Town. Exceptionally well done!
Monday, September 20, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Devil
There is a little movie at the box office this week. All one hour and fifteen minutes of it, that is full of thrills, and suspense. M. Knight Shyamalan's Devil.
Devil comes off as a short story more than a movie, and that really is a huge asset to this compelling story of death, the belief in the Devil and a challenge to our spirituality. This movie could have veered off into gruesome-land or special effects heaven, but it doesn't. It's pure movie making.
Devil is the story of five non-related strangers that climb into an elevator in a Philadelphia skyscraper. The elevator then becomes jammed between floors. And one by one the people on this elevator start getting picked off and killed by some kind of supernatural force. All of our characters have a checkered past that fate has brought together. They are seemingly being punished for their life long wrongdoings.
All of this is going on as the building maintenance crew watch via camera, and feverishly try to free these people to safety. Bring in the police, with a lead detective that also has a storied past, and it's the best of all worlds. A perfect storm of unconnected stories coming together, paving he way for some heavy drama and serious irony.
Devil is a surprisingly good movie. This is a well done, short, to the point story, that keeps its focus squarely on the story, and doesn't fall in love with itself, and become something that it's not. As far as scary movies are concerned this is a small movie, only in budget and scale. But this is an interesting story that is told well.
Devil. It's a lot of things that are good. Dramatic, compelling, scary at times and overall fun for a jolt or two. Well done.
Devil comes off as a short story more than a movie, and that really is a huge asset to this compelling story of death, the belief in the Devil and a challenge to our spirituality. This movie could have veered off into gruesome-land or special effects heaven, but it doesn't. It's pure movie making.
Devil is the story of five non-related strangers that climb into an elevator in a Philadelphia skyscraper. The elevator then becomes jammed between floors. And one by one the people on this elevator start getting picked off and killed by some kind of supernatural force. All of our characters have a checkered past that fate has brought together. They are seemingly being punished for their life long wrongdoings.
All of this is going on as the building maintenance crew watch via camera, and feverishly try to free these people to safety. Bring in the police, with a lead detective that also has a storied past, and it's the best of all worlds. A perfect storm of unconnected stories coming together, paving he way for some heavy drama and serious irony.
Devil is a surprisingly good movie. This is a well done, short, to the point story, that keeps its focus squarely on the story, and doesn't fall in love with itself, and become something that it's not. As far as scary movies are concerned this is a small movie, only in budget and scale. But this is an interesting story that is told well.
Devil. It's a lot of things that are good. Dramatic, compelling, scary at times and overall fun for a jolt or two. Well done.
Friday, September 10, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Going The Distance
Another tanker romantic comedy at the movies this week. This time Drew Barrymore gets her chance to be dropped through the trap door in Going The Distance. Last week Jennifer Aniston rode the elevator with a snapped cable to the basement with her tremendous flop, The Switch.
It would seem one of three things are in play here. One - people are on no mood for romantic comedies this summer. Two - people have caught on to the fact that there are no new ideas in Hollywood. Or three - We are done with some of these stars more than Hollywood knows. Probably a combination of all three. Mainly two and three.
GTD stars Barrymore and Justin Long as a young couple that fall in love and then are separated by many miles and settle into a long distance relationship or sorts. Will they make it, or is this too much to overcome? Now doesn't that sound fun? I've never heard of this plot line before. There are no new ideas in Hollywood right now. And it's a problem, especially in this line of movie making. Romantic comedies are staggering around. They have attempted reinvent them recently by making them more crude and action based. This one goes down the crude road at times, and to be honest it really doesn't work. And not because it's crude, because it's not funny. And that's worse.
I won't lie, there are some nice moments in this flick. At times Barrymore is engaging and clever, but a movie can't rely on a split second or two here and there. And some of these stars it would seem are really starting to show their lack of versatility. And we by and large may be becoming done with them. They all do what they do relatively well, problem is with Barrymore, Aniston, and maybe even Katherine Heigl it's all he same time and time again.
Could be they've done all they are really capable of doing, and now we're the wiser. We may be putting more thought into plopping down big money to see the same movie, character and performance time after time. Heigle to a lesser degree. She is funny and fresher, but Killers with Heigl earlier this year was also a mild hit. Aniston's Bounty Hunter did pretty well and was fun, but she had the draw of Girard Butler, and he's a big deal right now. He also was in The Ugly Truth with Heigl, and that was a big hit last year. But for the most part, the struggle is on.
Justin Long is a problem in GTD. Although really funny on MAC TV ads, and in smaller roles in other movies, he's just not strong enough to carry the load in a leading role. He brings no one to the theater and that's a problem too. Long and Barrymore may be great together in real life, but we don't have to pay to see that. The romantic comedy can be really great movie making. But right now we have a real problem getting the fans enthused into going.
Going The Distance. Old, tired idea, a leading actress that as fallen out of popular favor, and a male lead that no one wants to pay to see. You decide. A REDBOX rental in 90 days. Save your money. Everyone else did.
It would seem one of three things are in play here. One - people are on no mood for romantic comedies this summer. Two - people have caught on to the fact that there are no new ideas in Hollywood. Or three - We are done with some of these stars more than Hollywood knows. Probably a combination of all three. Mainly two and three.
GTD stars Barrymore and Justin Long as a young couple that fall in love and then are separated by many miles and settle into a long distance relationship or sorts. Will they make it, or is this too much to overcome? Now doesn't that sound fun? I've never heard of this plot line before. There are no new ideas in Hollywood right now. And it's a problem, especially in this line of movie making. Romantic comedies are staggering around. They have attempted reinvent them recently by making them more crude and action based. This one goes down the crude road at times, and to be honest it really doesn't work. And not because it's crude, because it's not funny. And that's worse.
I won't lie, there are some nice moments in this flick. At times Barrymore is engaging and clever, but a movie can't rely on a split second or two here and there. And some of these stars it would seem are really starting to show their lack of versatility. And we by and large may be becoming done with them. They all do what they do relatively well, problem is with Barrymore, Aniston, and maybe even Katherine Heigl it's all he same time and time again.
Could be they've done all they are really capable of doing, and now we're the wiser. We may be putting more thought into plopping down big money to see the same movie, character and performance time after time. Heigle to a lesser degree. She is funny and fresher, but Killers with Heigl earlier this year was also a mild hit. Aniston's Bounty Hunter did pretty well and was fun, but she had the draw of Girard Butler, and he's a big deal right now. He also was in The Ugly Truth with Heigl, and that was a big hit last year. But for the most part, the struggle is on.
Justin Long is a problem in GTD. Although really funny on MAC TV ads, and in smaller roles in other movies, he's just not strong enough to carry the load in a leading role. He brings no one to the theater and that's a problem too. Long and Barrymore may be great together in real life, but we don't have to pay to see that. The romantic comedy can be really great movie making. But right now we have a real problem getting the fans enthused into going.
Going The Distance. Old, tired idea, a leading actress that as fallen out of popular favor, and a male lead that no one wants to pay to see. You decide. A REDBOX rental in 90 days. Save your money. Everyone else did.
MOVIES OF THE MONTH - August
It's that time again. Time to announce my picks for the best and worst movies of the month. This time it's August. Gotta be honest, after looking at the list of movies last month, it was a tough choice to find ones that could wear the "best" tag. It was one of the worst Augusts I can remember. All movies mentioned have to be released to our area in the said month. Box office take makes no difference. I'll pick a best and worst and an honorable mention in each category.
So let's go!
Best Movie of the Month - August
Eat, Pray, Love - This wins by default. Although this is not a GREAT movie, it is at times very
well done. Julia Roberts is strong in this true story of a woman trying to
break a cycle of self esteem troubles. Filmed in some beautiful areas around
Italy, India, and Indonesia as well. A bit draggy at times but overall pretty
good.
Honorable Mention - Best
The Other Guys - Someone finally convinced Will Farrel his old and tired act was exactly that.
He is somewhat reinvented here, and there are some really funny moments
in this silly police comedy. Good cast, and a funny, sarcastic script. I am not
a Farrel fan at all, but he's not "Will Farrel" in this flick and it sort of works.
Worst Movie of the Month - August
The Expendables - Sylvester Stallone and tons of aging stars in this complete waste
of time movie. No real story, no real point, and too many "stars" and not
enough movie. Why? Dude, Sly.... retire, or reinvent yourself! This is
getting embarrassing.
Honorable Mention - August
Piranha 3-D - I know this is designed to be so bad, that it's actually good. Heavy satire and
parody here, that at times is amusing, but sheesh! This is just an excuse to show
as much guts and gore as possible. So much nudity, and everyone dying with no
clothes on too. Blood galore. So bad it's good? No, just so bad ...it's bad. 3-D not
necessary either. Added nothing
Check in next month for the best and worst movies of the month E-mail me too with your thoughts too scott@wqmx.com
So let's go!
Best Movie of the Month - August
Eat, Pray, Love - This wins by default. Although this is not a GREAT movie, it is at times very
well done. Julia Roberts is strong in this true story of a woman trying to
break a cycle of self esteem troubles. Filmed in some beautiful areas around
Italy, India, and Indonesia as well. A bit draggy at times but overall pretty
good.
Honorable Mention - Best
The Other Guys - Someone finally convinced Will Farrel his old and tired act was exactly that.
He is somewhat reinvented here, and there are some really funny moments
in this silly police comedy. Good cast, and a funny, sarcastic script. I am not
a Farrel fan at all, but he's not "Will Farrel" in this flick and it sort of works.
Worst Movie of the Month - August
The Expendables - Sylvester Stallone and tons of aging stars in this complete waste
of time movie. No real story, no real point, and too many "stars" and not
enough movie. Why? Dude, Sly.... retire, or reinvent yourself! This is
getting embarrassing.
Honorable Mention - August
Piranha 3-D - I know this is designed to be so bad, that it's actually good. Heavy satire and
parody here, that at times is amusing, but sheesh! This is just an excuse to show
as much guts and gore as possible. So much nudity, and everyone dying with no
clothes on too. Blood galore. So bad it's good? No, just so bad ...it's bad. 3-D not
necessary either. Added nothing
Check in next month for the best and worst movies of the month E-mail me too with your thoughts too scott@wqmx.com
Monday, September 6, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW - Machete
Every once in a while a movie like Machete comes out, and can turn into a cult classic real quick.
Time will tell is that will happen here, but Machete is so out there, so ridiculous, so absurd it just might.
Check this out. Machete stars, Danny Trejo, Jessica Alba, Don Johnson, Lindsey Lohan, Michelle Rodriguez, Robert Dinero, Steven Seagal, Cheech Marin, and Jeff Fahey. It's not like there's a bunch of nothings here. But from the opening bell, you understand this is a real strange movie, and as time goes on it gets stranger.
Trejo plays an ex-Mexican Federale named "Machete." He get that name because he doesn't use guns, but a huge machete to do his law enforcement handy work. He ends up in America after refusing to die in the opening scene. And somehow ends up involved as a hit man against a American politician who is in favor of strict U.S. - Mexican immigration. There you really start to put together what this movie is all about. It is extremely agenda laden, and it is actually a total lampoon on many different issues.
It is heavily satiristic on the immigration issue, and the politicians who are in favor of reform on both sides of the issue. It lampoons slasher movies, action movies, serial killing movies, special effects in movies, and there are huge stereotypes flung around this movie, taking shots at Americans and Mexicans alike. Many of the stars , especially Lohan are lampooned personally as well as in the movie. It is so totally absurd, it turns out being very humorous at times by design. But there are instances they push too far, and cross over to being uncomfortable. Be aware. NOTHING is off limits in Machete. Everyone and everything is fair game and in play. There is no boundary they don't cross. It is tasteless, it is brutal, it is highly violent, and there is graphic gore about every 5 minutes or so. NO one or organization goes unscathed, including the church. So in case you are easily offended, stay away from Machete.
You have to "get" what they are doing here. This may appear to some to be some totally offensive gore fest. And you would be right. Others will think this is some highly offensive, but guilty pleasure filled satire bent on mowing down everyone in it's path for a few laughs. and you would be right too. This is on a one way track to be or not to be a cult movie classic for those who like cult movies and don't mind the offensiveness of the material. Time till tell if Machete gets there or not.
Machete. My goodness, NOT FOR MOST. For those who are NOT easily offended by virtually anything. In all seriousness. This is way off the beaten path movie making, for a small sliver of the box office crowd. Leave Nana at home!
Time will tell is that will happen here, but Machete is so out there, so ridiculous, so absurd it just might.
Check this out. Machete stars, Danny Trejo, Jessica Alba, Don Johnson, Lindsey Lohan, Michelle Rodriguez, Robert Dinero, Steven Seagal, Cheech Marin, and Jeff Fahey. It's not like there's a bunch of nothings here. But from the opening bell, you understand this is a real strange movie, and as time goes on it gets stranger.
Trejo plays an ex-Mexican Federale named "Machete." He get that name because he doesn't use guns, but a huge machete to do his law enforcement handy work. He ends up in America after refusing to die in the opening scene. And somehow ends up involved as a hit man against a American politician who is in favor of strict U.S. - Mexican immigration. There you really start to put together what this movie is all about. It is extremely agenda laden, and it is actually a total lampoon on many different issues.
It is heavily satiristic on the immigration issue, and the politicians who are in favor of reform on both sides of the issue. It lampoons slasher movies, action movies, serial killing movies, special effects in movies, and there are huge stereotypes flung around this movie, taking shots at Americans and Mexicans alike. Many of the stars , especially Lohan are lampooned personally as well as in the movie. It is so totally absurd, it turns out being very humorous at times by design. But there are instances they push too far, and cross over to being uncomfortable. Be aware. NOTHING is off limits in Machete. Everyone and everything is fair game and in play. There is no boundary they don't cross. It is tasteless, it is brutal, it is highly violent, and there is graphic gore about every 5 minutes or so. NO one or organization goes unscathed, including the church. So in case you are easily offended, stay away from Machete.
You have to "get" what they are doing here. This may appear to some to be some totally offensive gore fest. And you would be right. Others will think this is some highly offensive, but guilty pleasure filled satire bent on mowing down everyone in it's path for a few laughs. and you would be right too. This is on a one way track to be or not to be a cult movie classic for those who like cult movies and don't mind the offensiveness of the material. Time till tell if Machete gets there or not.
Machete. My goodness, NOT FOR MOST. For those who are NOT easily offended by virtually anything. In all seriousness. This is way off the beaten path movie making, for a small sliver of the box office crowd. Leave Nana at home!
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